Benjamin Crump’s Social Justice Weekend in Atlanta | Honoring Don Lemon, Tyrese & More
Civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump hosted the inaugural Social Justice Weekend in Atlanta, GA, from Friday, December 13, through Sunday, December 15. This groundbreaking weekend featured three celebrity-driven events aimed at raising funds to provide scholarships for five future civil rights and social justice students currently pursuing law degrees at historically Black universities (HBCUs).
The timing of the event was deliberate, as Crump chose the second week of December to align with the Celebration Bowl and spotlight HBCUs in Atlanta during this vibrant weekend. The weekend’s focus on education came just a month after President-elect Donald Trump announced major cuts in education, disproportionately affecting Black and brown students. This intentional emphasis sent a message of hope to communities that may have felt disheartened by the current political climate.
Affectionately known as “Black America’s Attorney General,” Benjamin Crump had been recognized as one of Time Magazine’s Most Influential People of 2021 and listed among Ebony Magazine’s 100 Most Influential African Americans. Crump was widely regarded as one of the nation’s foremost legal minds and a tireless advocate for social justice. His recent documentary, Civil, was nominated for an Emmy in the category of social issue documentaries. Hosting the Social Justice Weekend in Atlanta—a city celebrated as the birthplace of America’s civil rights movement—underscored the significance of the event’s mission. According to Crump, Atlanta provided the ideal backdrop for the inaugural “party with a purpose” weekend.
The weekend kicked off on Friday, December 13, with Jokes for Justice, an evening of comedy featuring comedians Steven Brown, J Smiles, and Marvin Dixon at Park Tavern (500 10th St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309). On Saturday, December 14, Crump hosted the Social Justice Day Party alongside several celebrity surprise guests at Opium (900 Brady Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30318). The weekend concluded on Sunday, December 15, with an exclusive invite-only Social Justice Honors Brunch at the Piedmont Room at Park Tavern, nestled in Atlanta’s iconic Piedmont Park.
Benjamin Crump and an array of activists, celebrities, and community leaders came together for an unforgettable weekend dedicated to advancing justice, education, and hope for the future.