Eric Holder and Common Speak at the Auditorium Theatre in September

The Honorable Eric H. Holder, the 82nd Attorney General of the United States, and musician and activist Common speak at the Auditorium Theatre in September as part of Roosevelt University's American Dream Reconsidered conference.

The conference was founded in September 2016 by Roosevelt University President Ali Malekzadeh to address the question, "What does the American Dream mean today?"

"The American Dream is about every individual who aspires to achieve more in life," says Malekzadeh. "Understanding our national ethos of democracy and equality has never been more urgent."

On Wednesday, September 12, Holder delves into current issues regarding voting rights in a discussion titled "The Struggle for Voting Rights." With his unique insights from the front lines of the fight, and his recent work as the chairman of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, Holder shares his thoughts on the history of voting rights in the United States and his vision for the future. Holder served as Attorney General under President Barack Obama from 2009 to 2015 and currently works as a partner at Covington & Burling LLP. He made history as the first African American to be appointed Attorney General of the United States.

Award-winning musician, actor, and activist Common hosts the "Activism and Dissent in an Age of Polarization" panel, focusing on how activism plays a role in the political process, on Thursday, September 13. Common, in addition to a number of songwriting and film credits, is also the founder of The Common Ground Foundation, a Chicago-based organization that focuses on reaching high school students through programs that teach myriad professional and personal skills and development.

Other featured speakers who will be on campus at Roosevelt University for this year's conference include best-selling author and New York Magazine writer Rebecca Traister and Jamelle Bouie, the chief political correspondent for Slate. In previous years, the conference has hosted speakers including including Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and political consultant David Axelrod.

Event Information

The Struggle for Voting Rights: A Conversation with Attorney General Eric Holder

Wednesday, September 12 | 7PM

Individual tickets start at $20 and go on sale August 3 at 10AM. Tickets are available online here, by phone at 312.341.2300, and at the Auditorium Theatre Box Office (50 E Congress Pkwy).Tickets for college students are available for $15 with a valid college ID (limit 2, must be purchased in person at the Box Office).

Activism and Dissent in an Age of Polarization: A Conversation with Common

Thursday, September 13 | 7PM

Individual tickets are $25 and are available online here, by phone at 312.341.2300, and at the Auditorium Theatre Box Office (50 E Congress Pkwy). Roosevelt University students receive one complimentary ticket (must be picked up in person at the Box Office with valid student ID). Tickets for college students at other schools are available for $15 with a valid college ID (limit 2, must be purchased in person at the Box Office; subject to availability). Tickets for students between the ages of 13-19 will be available on the day of the event for $5 with Urban Gateways' Teen Arts Pass program (subject to availability).