Catalyst Series for Social Justice

Sparking Action for Social Change

At the Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW), we don’t just educate students. We also help to educate our community through programs such as the Catalyst Series for Social Justice. Founded in 2016, the Catalyst Series brings campus and community together for timely — and sometimes tough — discussions and workshops on a broad range of issues.

Whether the topic is white fragility, body positivity or art as activism, the goals are the same: to inform, prompt reflection, facilitate public dialogue and spark action.

“It’s important that GSSW initiate these types of conversations so they become more mainstream and so that the community has a safe space to talk about injustices and marginalization that is taking place everywhere, all the time.”

Liza Saffo, MSW ’15, “White Fragility” Attendee

8,000 people The Catalyst Series for Social Justice has engaged more than 8,000 people since 2016, either in person or online. Since all Catalyst Series events are streamed via Facebook Live, you don’t have to be in Denver to take part!

Watch Past Events

The Catalyst Series considers social justice from many perspectives and offers something for everyone. Did you miss an event? Learn more about past events and watch some online.

Stories in Motion with Dina Nayeri

On April 3, 2025, author Dina Nayeri shared reflections on her books and experience, and a call to action for social workers and those working with refugees and migrants.
Watch
Safety Through Solidarity with Shane Burley & Ben Lorber

On November 7, 2024, Shane Burley and Ben Lorber, authors of Safety through Solidarity: A Radical Guide to Fighting Antisemitism, shared readings from their book and led an engaging discussion with participants.
Watch
Refusing to Abandon Our Humanity and Each Other with Kelly Hayes
On May 13, 2024, Kelly Hayes, co-author of the best selling book Let This Radicalize You, talked about the work of social justice in the context of catastrophe and collapse.
- What does it mean to refuse to abandon one another in a culture that increasingly normalizes human disposability?
- How can we build movements grounded in solidarity and reciprocal care?
- How can we build relationships that will help us survive and heal during the trying times ahead?
Watch
Becoming a New Saint with Lama Rod Owens

On February 5, 2024, Lama Rod Owens shared personal stories, spiritual teachings and instructions for contemplative and somatic practices from his newest book, The New Saints: From Broken Hearts to Spiritual Warriors.
Watch
The Art of Changing Our Minds with Andrea Gibson

On October 25, 2023, Andrea Gibson discussed the intersection of creativity and transformation. Andrea shared poems and personal stories and how everyone can use these tools to create a more compassionate world.
Watch
Mutual Aid for Survival and Mobilization with Dean Spade

On Monday May 22, 2023, Dean Spade talked about how moments of crisis and disaster expose how governments are designed to support and sustain wealth concentration, not care for the well-being of people living under them.
Watch

Whether you’re looking for social justice discussions, science symposia or continuing education options, you’ll find it at the Graduate School of Social Work.

Explore All Events

Images of past events

Art work by art-activist Favianna Rodriguez. Her art and collaborative projects deal with migration, global politics, economic injustice, patriarchy and interdependence.

Art and Activism audience members from 2017 Catalyst Series event.

Lydia Prado speaking at 2017 Catalyst Series event "Power of Place." Prado promotes the development of prevention and early intervention strategies, the establishment of community-based partnerships, staff development and training, and transformation of traditional delivery models for work with diverse populations.

Power of Place audience members from 2017 Catalyst Series event.

Raúl Pérez speaking at 2017 Catalyst Series event "Racist and Anti-Racist Humor." His research interests include race, racism and humor, and their connections to social inequality and social movements.

Lalo Alcaraz speaking at 2017 Catalyst Series event "Racist and Anti-Racist Humor." Alcaraz is a cartoonist, most known for being the author of the comic La Cucaracha, the first nationally syndicated, politically-themed Latino daily comic strip.

Robin DiAngelo speaking at 2017 Catalyst Series event "White Fragility." DiAngelo's scholarship is in white racial identity and race relations.

White Fragility audience members from 2017 Catalyst Series event.

A performer and storyteller from the 2018 Catalyst Series event "Truth to Power: Personal Storytelling for Social Justice."

Kate Smith, another participant and storyteller at 2018 Catalyst Series event "Truth to Power: Personal Storytelling for Social Justice."

Virgie Tovar speaking at 2018 Catalyst Series event "Lose Hate, Not Weight." Tovar is an author, activist and leader on topics of fat discrimination and body image.

Virgie Tovar with Lose Hate Not Weight audience members

Virgie Tovar with audience members from "Lose Hate Not Weight."

Jess T. Dugan speaking at the Catalyst Series for Social Justice event: To Survive on This Shore: Photographs and Interviews with Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Older Adults. Dugan is photographer and artist whose work explores issues of identity through photographic portraiture.

An audience member viewing the art gallery exhibit from Catalyst Series for Social Justice event: To Survive on This Shore: Photographs and Interviews with Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Older Adults.