Fit For a King Summit History

  LaFHAC's 16th annual Fit for a King Fair Housing Summit explored the connections between housing injustice, segregation, and health inequity, as well as how communities are fighting back. The summit featured panels about fair housing as a reproductive justice issue, the limitations of homeownership as a way to build Black wealth, and the fight for Healthy Homes in New Orleans. Linda Villarosa (lindavillarosa.com/) gave the keynote address.  

LaFHAC's 15th annual Fit for a King Fair Housing Summit was an opportunity to hear from housing justice advocates and community leaders about the connections between housing discrimination, segregation, NIMBYism, the criminal legal system, LGBTQ+ oppression, COVID-19, and the eviction crisis, as well as how communities were fighting back. The summit keynote address was given by Sheryll Cashin (sheryllcashin.com)

LaFHAC's 14th annual Fit for a King Fair Housing Summit marked the organization's 25th anniversary and it's first summit as the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center. The keynote speaker was Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and author of The Warmth of Other Suns Isabel Wilkerson. Sessions focused on the history of segregation and racial inequality nationally and locally, as well as the housing rights of individuals with criminal justice involvement, countering NIMBY opposition to affordable housing, and taking action for healthy homes.   

The theme for Fit for a King 2013 was Disparate Impact: A Vital Tool for Building Equity. Disparate impact analysis is an established legal doctrine that civil rights advocates use to help enforce laws like the Fair Housing Act. Disparate impact arguments usually rely on statistical analysis to demonstrate that a policy that may seem facially neutral actually has a disproportionate effect on a protected group of people. Disparate impact analysis is a vital tool for civil rights advocates to have in their quest to build equity. However, the concept has seen recent challenges, including a renewed attack on the concept by the banking industry. Fit for King 2013 explored the use of disparate impact as a tool in the areas of criminal justice, education, and housing.

The theme for Fit for a King 2013 was Disparate Impact: A Vital Tool for Building Equity. Disparate impact analysis is an established legal doctrine that civil rights advocates use to help enforce laws like the Fair Housing Act. Disparate impact arguments usually rely on statistical analysis to demonstrate that a policy that may seem facially neutral actually has a disproportionate effect on a protected group of people. Disparate impact analysis is a vital tool for civil rights advocates to have in their quest to build equity. However, the concept has seen recent challenges, including a renewed attack on the concept by the banking industry. Fit for King 2013 explored the use of disparate impact as a tool in the areas of criminal justice, education, and housing.

Fit for a King 2012 was entitled Women & Fair Housing, and was held at the Tulane Hillel on January 13, 2012.  The summit examined the gendered impact of discriminatory housing policies and practices on the lives of women and marginalized communities.  The conference also highlighted the importance of approaching housing policy, fair housing enforcement, and urban planning with an understanding of the intersecting impacts of gender, race, space, income, and related factors.  The event was keynoted by Professor Anita Hill, Esq, who shared her new book Reimagining Equality: Stories of Gender, Race & Finding Home. 

 Fit for a King 2011 was held at the First Grace United Methodist Church and featured a conversation about Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing as a Holistic Vision for Healthy Communities.  The event was keynoted by Sara Pratt. 

 Fit for a King 2010 featured a summit called Red Lines & Keep Out Signs keynoted by Beryl Satter, author of Family Properties: Race, Real Estate, and the Exploitation of Black Urban America.  The weekend also featured a restaurant fundraiser and a book signing event with Ms. Satter. 

Fit for a King 2009 featured an Advocate’s Training and a Community Power Day.  At the Advocate’s Training, participants attended workshops on envisioning whole neighborhoods, framing your message, utilizing the media, and using the law.  The event was keynoted by Melissa Harris-Perry.  Community Power Day featured screenings of documentary films about housing justice issues.

 Fit for a King 2008 was held at the Lindy Boggs Convention Center and featured a Teach-In event on Saturday, January 19th, and a Dine-Out restaurant fundraiser on Monday, January 21st.  The event was keynoted by Melissa Harris-Perry.