The opening session of #PLA2026 with Bryan Stevenson, creator of Equal Justice Initiative and The Legacy Museum, was so inspiring! I have admired and respected Mr. Stevenson since I read his book Just Mercy six years ago. I highly recommend a trip to The Legacy Museum sites in Montgomery, which I was fortunate enough to visit last year.
Mr. Stevenson shared with us what he believes are four ways to make change in our world today: understand the power of proximity, provide hope, change the narrative, and recognize that doing these things can be uncomfortable and inconvenient. I was completely captivated by his speech, so I didn’t get a chance to write down too many of his words, but here are some short quotes that stuck with me:
“We are obligated to be truth tellers.”
“Hopelessness is the enemy of justice.”
“Libraries are places of hope.”
“Hope is our superpower.”
I was pleasantly surprised that we got to hear from Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey at the opening session as well! He welcomed us to his city, offered some tips on places to see, and also provided some words of inspiration:
“When you’re looking for reinforcements, look no further than your local public library!”
“We all and you all are absolute freaking heroes.”
“You are all democracy warriors.”
The opening session was uplifting and empowering, and I can’t wait to see what else PLA 2026 has in store for us!
All photos courtesy of Jen Pace Dickenson
Jen Pace Dickenson (she/her/hers) is the Youth Services Librarian at Polk County Public Libraries. Over her 13 year career there, she has created many new programs for all ages while also developing a diverse and vibrant collection and managing most of the marketing. She was teaching English to children in South Korea in 2010 when she read the book American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld, and had the epiphany that she should become a librarian. She is looking forward to hearing Bryan Stevenson speak at the opening session, as she has been a longtime admirer of his work with the Equal Justice Initiative, and getting books signed by authors in the exhibit hall to add to her collection.
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