The Center for the Study of Race and Democracy at Arizona State University will host Academy Award-winning filmmaker and cultural icon Spike Lee on March 1 for its annual Delivering Democracy dialogue.
The in-person event will take place at 3 p.m. at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in Phoenix.
As the center's 12th distinguished speaker, Lee becomes part of the center's acclaimed and impactful Delivering Democracy series, which has featured visionary and accomplished leaders and changemakers for stirring discussions of justice, history, race, democracy and civic engagement.
Center Director Lois Brown will be in conversation with Lee for what promises to be a highly engaging and forthright conversation about the transformative power of storytelling, community engagement, civic responsibility, film and activism.
This year’s Delivering Democracy dialogue will focus on Lee’s influential body of work that has energized and broadened national and global thinking about critical issues such as racial and environmental justice, African American heroism, community vulnerability and resilience, leadership, history and democracy. The program will be a multifaceted call to action and will confirm how individuals, communities, the media and the arts can drive positive action and shape public discourse.
Lee is a notable writer, director, producer, actor and author who revolutionized both the landscape of independent cinema and the role of Black talent in film. Widely regarded as a premiere African American filmmaker, Lee is a forerunner in the “do-it-yourself” school of filmmaking. His films are a series of outspoken and provocative sociopolitical critiques that challenge our cultural assumptions not only about race but also class and gender identity. He has not only solidified his own standing as one of contemporary cinema's most influential figures but also revolutionized the role of Black talent in Hollywood, tearing away decades of stereotypes and marginalized portrayals to establish a new arena for African American voices to be heard.
In addition to his prolific filmmaking career, Lee is a tenured professor of film and the artistic director at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, where he continues to educate and inspire the next generation of filmmakers. Lee is recognized, too, for his groundbreaking work in advertising, most notably his iconic Air Jordan commercials with Michael Jordan. He is the founder of Spike DDB, an advertising agency that focuses on cross-cultural marketing and social advocacy.
The annual Delivering Democracy Community Resource Fair, which is free and open to all attendees, will be held before and after the main program. Program attendees can meet representatives from diverse local and regional organizations and learn how they can support community efforts to advance such issues as voter education, reentry programs, the arts, mentoring, veteran’s affairs, community health and wellness, multicultural awareness and restorative justice.
Event details at a glance
3 p.m., Saturday, March 1
Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, 1401 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, AZ, 85034
Register: csrd.asu.edu/dd2025
Media will have reserved seats and are invited to register for the program. For media inquiries, contact debbie.richmond@asu.edu.
The annual Delivering Democracy Community Resource Fair will be held before and after the main program, from 2–3 p.m. and 4:30–5:30 p.m.
This free, in-person event is open to the public.
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