Save the Date
Sunday, May 17th, 2026
6:00 PM at Townsite Plaza
Topeka, KS
ENSURING OUR NATION'S CONTRACT WITH ITS CONSTITUENCY SERVES JUSTICE FOR ALL
BEN
CRUMP
America's Social Justice Attorney
Featuring
Ben Crump is one of the nation’s most prominent civil rights attorneys and a leading advocate for justice, accountability, and equity in America. Crump has dedicated his career to representing families—including in high-profile litigation involving the families of Trayvon Martin, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor—in civil rights and wrongful death cases, challenging systemic injustice and advancing policy reforms that protect marginalized communities. Through strategic litigation and national advocacy, he has worked to shine the spotlight of justice on these cases and others, shaping the modern landscape of civil rights in the U.S. and contributing to the national conversation around what it means to provide equal protection under the law. Crump’s work extends beyond the courtroom. He is a frequent commentator, public speaker, and thought leader who advocates for voting rights, educational equity, and economic justice. His work and advocacy reflect a deep commitment to ensuring promises embedded in the U.S. Constitution are realized for all Americans. A bestselling author, Crump recently released his first novel, “Worse Than a Lie”, a gripping legal thriller that has driven a surge in sales at Black-owned bookstores nationwide. Crump’s impact has also been recognized in film and media. He is the subject of the Netflix documentary Civil: Ben Crump, which chronicles his life, career, and broader fight for justice in contemporary America. More recently, he earned a regional Emmy Award as producer of the documentary How to Sue the Klan, which tells the powerful story of a landmark legal battle confronting hate and racial terror. These projects underscore Crump’s commitment to educating the public through storytelling, beyond his legal advocacy. Crump’s work has earned him national and international recognition. He was named to Time magazine’s list of The 100 Most Influential People of 2021, recognized in 2022 among Ebony Magazine’s Power 100 Most Influential African Americans, received the NAACP’s Social Justice Impact Award at the 2023 NAACP Image Awards, and has continued to garner acclaim for his relentless fight for a more fair, just world. Crump and his firm have dedicated themselves to advocating for the voiceless, upholding the belief that justice signals respect. Crump is a graduate of Florida State University and received his law degree from Florida State University College of Law. He is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. A native of North Carolina, Crump spent his teenage years in Florida. His experiences with racial injustice fueled his passion for civil rights work.
j.ivy
Performance Poet and Author
Truly, when it comes to the art of Hip-Hop Poetry, J. Ivy is the 1st of his kind. He is a pioneer, a trendsetter, one who has knocked down impossible doors, taking the Art of Poetry directly to mainstream music & television arenas. His motivational motto, which was recently quoted by Ms. Oprah Winfrey, “Dreams Don't Come True, They Are True,” has guided him from his native home Chicago to becoming a 3x GRAMMY®, Peabody, Clio, Telly, and NAACP Image Award Winning Poet and Artist.
In February of 2023, 30 years after his first performance, J. Ivy won a GRAMMY® for his album, THE POET WHO SAT BY THE DOOR, becoming the first Poet to win in the GRAMMY® Awards’ new category, Best Spoken Word Poetry Album. Not only is he the first Poet to win a GRAMMY® since the great Dr. Maya Angelou, he also won a GRAMMY® for his work on the Tennessee State Marching Band’s The Urban Hymnal, which won in the Best Gospel Roots category. For his follow up, in September of 2023 J. Ivy released his 7th album, THE LIGHT INSIDE, and for the second year in a row, J. Ivy brought home the GRAMMY® in 2024.
From his work on the classic song "Never Let Me Down" with Kanye West & Jay-Z, to performing a poem for NBA Hall of Fame Legend Michael Jordan and commercial work for the Jordan Brand, to MC'ing and performing at events for Deepak Chopra, to voicing openings for sporting events like NBC’s Sunday Night Football, ESPN’s US Open, National Spelling Bee, the NBA Draft, and The Undefeated's Dear Black Athlete, to co-starring in and narrating B.E.T.'s award winning film Muhammad Ali: The People's Champ & Martin: The Legacy of a King, to starring in national ads for AARP & Bulleit Whiskey, to collaborating with artists like Estelle, Marsha Ambrosius, Slum Village, and John Stephens, who J. Ivy renamed John Legend, J’s versatility continues to surprise and inspire all walks of life.
J. Ivy is a modern day renaissance man magically merging art and leaving a beautiful mark for the world and the future to embrace. His passionate delivery always leaves spectators transfixed in a state of inspiration, and because of that he is recognized World Wide.
