Dr. Cornel West and Dr. Melina Abdullah - Oct 20, 2024
From Survival to THR!VAL: A Transformative Conversation with Dr. Cornel West and Dr. Melina Abdullah
On a historic evening in Denver, CO, the TruNorth Foundation welcomed two of the most influential voices of our time, Dr. Cornel West and Dr. Melina Abdullah, for a powerful discussion on systemic oppression, radical healing, and the pathway from mere survival to THR!VAL. The event, rooted in TruNorth’s mission of decolonizing systems and rebuilding communities, brought together activists, educators, and changemakers for an evening of deep reflection and forward momentum.
The Urgency of Thrival
In a world where marginalized communities are continuously placed in survival mode, Hasira Soul Ashemu, Founder & CEO of TruNorth Institute, posed a profound question to Dr. Cornel West:
“When you continue to put people into a survival mode, it makes them more susceptible to the types of systems they’re being subjected to. So, how do you go against the biology and the psychology in order to awaken the people?”
Dr. West, known for his groundbreaking work on race, democracy, and justice, passionately addressed the need for conscious resistance—one that not only critiques oppressive systems but also builds new paradigms of empowerment and collective care.
The Psychology of Oppression & Liberation
Dr. Melina Abdullah, co-founder of Black Lives Matter Los Angeles, shared insights on how systemic oppression shapes collective consciousness and how communities can reclaim their narratives through activism and cultural reclamation.
Both speakers emphasized the critical role of education—not just institutional but community-led, radical, and ancestral knowledge—as a tool to dismantle systems of oppression and inspire agency.
Love, Justice & Radical Imagination
Dr. West, a proponent of prophetic love and justice, urged attendees to embrace radical imagination as a means of transformation: “Justice is what love looks like in public.”
Dr. Abdullah illuminated the necessity of economic sovereignty, community-driven governance, and self-sustaining networks that move beyond protest into long-term institution-building.
This powerful gathering was more than just a conversation—it was a blueprint for action. The TruNorth Foundation continues to lead transformative initiatives aimed at fostering true liberation and systemic change.