Civil Rights Activist Michelle Alexander to Speak at CU Boulder

Author of 'The New Jim Crow' to deliver lecture on racial injustice in the US prison system

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Michelle Alexander, a prominent civil rights activist and author of the acclaimed book 'The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness', is set to speak at the University of Colorado Boulder on Wednesday evening. Alexander's lecture will explore her research on the prison system as a form of racial control and caste in the United States.

Why it matters

Alexander's work has been instrumental in drawing attention to systemic racism and inequities within the US criminal justice system. Her appearance at CU Boulder provides an opportunity for the campus and local community to engage with her influential perspective on one of the most pressing social justice issues of our time.

The details

Alexander, who has a background in law, academia, advocacy and journalism, will deliver her lecture at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 26th, at the University Memorial Center's Glenn Miller Ballroom on the CU Boulder campus. Tickets for the general public are $10 and can be purchased online.

  • The lecture is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 26, 2026.

The players

Michelle Alexander

A civil rights activist and author of the acclaimed book 'The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness', which explores the prison system as a form of racial control and caste in the United States.

University of Colorado Boulder

The public research university hosting Alexander's lecture on its campus in Boulder, Colorado.

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The takeaway

Alexander's appearance at CU Boulder provides an important platform for the campus and local community to engage with her influential perspective on systemic racism and inequities within the US criminal justice system, a critical issue that continues to demand urgent attention and action.