Dr. Yusef Salaam of the exonerated Central Park Five to speak at FGCU

Dr. Yusef Salaam, recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from President Barack Obama, will hold a speaking engagement at Florida Gulf Coast University Tuesday evening.

Salaam is a member of the Exonerated Five, is an award-winning motivational and transformational speaker, thought leader, trainer, New York Times Best Selling author and coach.

Salaam is a public figure who utilizes his platform to share his story with others and educate the public about the impact of mass incarceration and police brutality rooted in the American justice system.

According to his website; “In 1989, at just fifteen years young, Dr. Yusef Salaam was tried and convicted in the ‘Central Park Jogger’ case along with four other Black and Latinx young men. The Exonerated Five spent between seven to 13 years behind bars for crimes they did not commit, until their sentences were overturned in 2002. Since then, they have received a multi-million dollar settlement from the city of New York for its injustice and have been profiled in award-winning films, including The Central Park Five documentary from Ken Burns, Sarah Burns and David McMahon and most recently the Emmy award-winning Netflix limited series When They See Us.”

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, limited seating is available. Please register if you would like to be in the audience for this event.

The event will take place on Tuesday, February 22 from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. at the Cohen Student Union Ballroom at FGCU. 10501 FGCU Blvd. South CSU Ballroom.

Fort more information or to make a reservation click here.