Social Justice Festival
A two-day celebration of stories from multiple disciplines that build community, manage conflict, and explore identity. This highly experiential festival is an academic ritual at Buffalo State and includes workshops, performances, and art exhibits that challenge, teach, and explore diverse social and personal justice topics.
The Anne Frank Project is a program of Buffalo State University.
The 2025 festival will share ways in shaping a more just, welcoming, and connected community; Belonging.
PROPOSE
We are thrilled to announce our 17th annual social justice festival, AFP 2025: Belonging Begins Here - October 7-9, 2025!
As we face evolving social issues, our power lies in partnership—sharing our ideas and knowledge and creating spaces where everyone can thrive. A sense of belonging is crucial to one’s wellbeing, fostering positive relationships, increasing motivation and resilience, and a precursor to academic success. It isn’t passive. It doesn’t happen in silence. It isn’t some forgettable byproduct of ‘woke’ propaganda. It begins when we recognize that diverse voices are not only welcomed but essential. Where justice is not only discussed, but embodied. Where community means more than proximity—it means connection, care, and collaboration; all important 21st century skills.
Belonging is not just a value—it’s a foundation. It’s rooted in Buffalo State’s mission and commitment to access, identity, and social justice through education, and community engagement both locally and internationally. Reflecting this commitment, we invite our university students, educators, advocators, and artists to be part of that beginning by proposing to AFP 2025: Belonging Begins Here.
Since its inception in 2009, our Social Justice Festival has explored underpinnings of humanity.
HISTORY
Through our Social Justice Festival, we’ve led brave and deep explorations of issues like shared humanity, social responsibility, defining inclusion, community engagement, mental health, systematic racism, the roots of Genocide, innovations in education, and personal healing. With an emphasis on doing, the festival is part of student coursework, connecting them to experts, artists, and leaders from around the globe who facilitate the interactive sessions.
Click below to download and explore past festival programs.
