For the past 100 years, Willard Straight Hall has stood as a symbol of student voice, belonging, and engagement—serving as the university’s original student union and an essential gathering place for generations of Cornell students.

Among the most significant events in the building’s history is the occupation of Willard Straight Hall by the Afro-American Society (AAS) in April 1969 to protest against systemic racism and inequality, particularly related to the campus judicial system, university governance, support for Black students, and concerns over development of the Africana Studies and Research Center.

This consequential student protest — which served as a catalyst for decades of social, political, and cultural change across campus — is at the heart of the documentary Agents of Change (2016).

Produced and directed by Cornell alums Frank Dawson ’72 and Abby Ginzberg ’71. The screening will feature a post-screening discussion with filmmaker Frank Dawson ’72 moderated by Kofi Acree, Director for the John Henrik Clarke Africana Library and Curator of Africana Collections for the Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections.

Free admission! Sponsored by the Willard Straight Hall Centennial Committee and Black Student Empowerment. Order your tickets: https://cornellcinema.eventive.org/schedule/69653be1650a59269c99b439

Visit scl.cornell.edu/WSH100 for more information and upcoming events. https://cinema.cornell.edu/agents-change