LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Simmons College of Kentucky is opening a racial justice center it says is in response to the U.S. Department of Justice's investigation into Louisville’s police department. 

What You Need To Know

  • Simmons College of Kentucky announced Tuesday that it is opening a racial justice center  

  • The college's president says it is in response to the as U.S. Department of Justice investigation into Louisville's police department  

  • The center will be named after the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr.  

  • The announcement took place at an event commemorating 55 years since the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

President Dr. Kevin Cosby announced the plans at a unity service commemorating 55 years since the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  

The center will be named after the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., who attended the service. 

“Jesse Jackson picked up the mantle of Dr. King and since 1968, for 55 years, he has been a stalwart champion of justice,” said Cosby. 

A DOJ report released last month shows among other findings, that Louisville police discriminated against Black people, used excessive force and conducted searches on invalid warrants. 

“Our goal is to move the Black community in partnership with other grassroots organizations in our city from disparity to equity and, this is the most important part, through Black-led institutions,” said Cosby.  

Dr. Ron Robinson, a professor at Simmons, said the center will help hold people accountable. 

“You have the disparity between the police department and the Black community, so centers like this actually will create accountability not only from citizenship, but from those in administrative positions in government,” he said. 

A Texas-based foundation has committed $2 million to the center. 

Related Stories