"To Right These Wrongs" Symposium at Duke April 23

Fifty years after Terry Sanford was elected governor of North Carolina, a symposium at Duke University will examine the status of his key political concerns: poverty, education and racial inequality.

The symposium takes place at the Sanford School of Public Policy from 3:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 23, and is the final event in the school's 2009-2010 inaugural series.

The event includes panel discussions from 3:30 to 5 p.m., a keynote speech by N.C. Sen. Dan Blue (D-Wake), a book signing, the opening of the expanded photographic exhibit "Terry Sanford: An American Original," and a reception. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required at www.sanford.duke.edu or by calling (919) 613-7428.

Sanford served as North Carolina's governor (1961-64), U.S. senator and president of Duke University, and is the namesake of the Sanford School. He was a progressive force throughout his life of public service, working to battle poverty and racial inequality and improve education.

Three panels will explore the progress made on these issues in North Carolina since the historic events of the early 1960s, as well as the challenges that remain. The panel sessions are:

-- "From Then to Now: Antipoverty Efforts in North Carolina," including panelists Robert R. Korstad of Duke, James Leloudis of UNC, Naomi S. Feaste, director of Cultural Enrichment, Inc. and NC Fund volunteer, Noah Raper of the nonprofit economic and workforce research organization MDC, and Leslie Winner, executive director of the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation;

-- "The Pursuit of Equity in Health, Wealth and Citizenship," including panelists William A. Darity Jr. and Sherman James of Duke and Irene Godinez of Reform Immigration for America and moderated by Anna Gassman-Pines of Duke;

-- and "Facing the Achievement Gap from Kindergarten to College," including panelists Helen Ladd of Duke, Minnie Forte-Brown, chair of Durham Public Schools Board, and R. Scott Ralls, president of the N.C. Community College System.

The book signing, reception, and the opening of the photography exhibition begin at 5 p.m. Tom Lambeth, senior fellow and former executive director of the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation and aide to Gov. Sanford, will give brief remarks about Sanford. Alex Harris, professor of public policy and founder of the Center for Documentary Photography at Duke, will discuss the photography exhibit, now on permanent display on the main floor of the Sanford Building.

In addition, Duke public policy professor Robert R. Korstad and UNC professor of history James Leloudis will discuss and sign copies of their new book, "To Right These Wrongs: The North Carolina Fund and the Battle to End Poverty and Inequality in 1960s America" (UNC Press, 2010). One of Sanford's most important projects as governor was the creation of the North Carolina Fund, an innovative partnership that served as a model for the federal "War on Poverty" program.

Blue will give the keynote speech at 6:30 p.m. After his graduation from Duke Law School, Blue was hired by Sanford's law firm, Sanford, Cannon, Adams and McCullough. Blue became the first African-American speaker of the N.C. House of Representatives and is currently chair of the Duke University Board of Trustees.