ROOTS & RESILIENCE: A STORY OF BLACK EQUITY IN BROOKLYN

Wednesday, July 29, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

LOCATION:
Weeksville Heritage Center
158 Buffalo Avenue | Brooklyn, NY 11213

HOSTED BY:
Access Justice Brooklyn
&
The Center on Race, Inequality, and the Law at NYU Law

PROGRAM OVERVIEW 

This conversation examines deed fraud as a contemporary threat rooted in historic housing inequities. Drawing on legal, academic, and community perspectives, panelists will explore its connections to redlining, the ongoing impacts on racial justice, and strategies to protect homeowners. The discussion will highlight frontline experiences and solutions aimed at safeguarding Black homeownership in Brooklyn.

ROUNDTABLE PARTICIPANTS

MODERATOR:

Lilia Toson is the President & CEO of Access Justice Brooklyn. A dedicated civil rights lawyer and community advocate, she joined AJB in 2026 after serving as Attorney-in-Charge of Civil Citywide Units at The Legal Aid Society.

PANELISTS:

Angella Davidson is the Director of Operations at Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) of Brooklyn, a nonprofit housing counseling agency. Previously, she served as Program Director for NHS’s Foreclosure Intervention Program, where she oversaw the Canarsie office.

Prof. Rachel Godsil is a Professor at Rutgers Law School and a Chancellor’s Social Justice Scholar. Her scholarly research focuses on the intersection of race, property, and the environment.

ReNika Moore is the Director of the ACLU’s Racial Justice Program. She oversees the ACLU’s racial justice litigation and advocacy on issues including housing and the economy.

Peter S. White II is New York City’s first Director of the Office of Deed Theft Prevention. Previously, he served as a supervising attorney at Access Justice Brooklyn, where he worked on foreclosure defense, deed theft, and other homeowner assistance matters.

Roots & Resilience is a free event, open to our community. Please reach out to Access Justice Brooklyn's Chief Strategy Officer, Melissa Starr, at melissa@accessjusticebk.org to explore available sponsorship opportunities.

ABOUT ACCESS JUSTICE BROOKLYN

A pioneer of contemporary pro bono models and a progressive force in the community, Access Justice Brooklyn (AJB) has provided free, high-quality legal services and education to our neighbors in need for over 35 years, helping ensure a more accessible legal system and equitable Brooklyn. We focus on services that contribute to the economic security of Brooklyn households, so income does not represent a barrier to legal help and financial stability.

To learn more about Access Justice Brooklyn and to make a donation in support of our work, click here.

ABOUT THE CENTER ON RACE, INEQUALITY, AND THE LAW AT NYU LAW
The Center on Race, Inequality, and the Law confronts and upends the array of American laws, policies, and practices that lead to racial oppression and injustice. By illuminating the history and impact of racism on law and society, we are able to find solutions to the injustice it causes and take action to advance freedom and fairness, for everyone.

To learn more about The Center on Race, Inequality and The Law and to make a donation, click here.