Now They Hear Us: Living Without Regret and Inspiring Future Generations

A Conversation with Yusef Salaam and Raymond Santana
Moderated by Professor Mark Anthony Neal
Free and Open to the Public
Tickets are required: limit two (2) per person

(NOTE: TICKETS AVAILABLE STARTING AUG. 28 AT THE DUKE UNIVERSITY BOX OFFICE)

In 1989, Yusef Salaam and Raymond Santana were two of five boys -- four black and one Latino -- tried and convicted for the brutal attack of a young woman jogging in New York City's Central Park. They became known as "The Central Park Five."

In 2002, a convicted murderer and serial rapist, linked to the case by DNA evidence, confessed. By the time the court vacated their sentences, withdrew all charges and removed them from the sex offender registry, they had each served between six and thirteen years in prison.

Documentarians Ken and Sarah Burns raised awareness of the miscarriage of justice in 2012, releasing the documentary, "The Central Park Five," which tells the story from the perspective of Salaam, and Santana, as well as the other three, Korey Wise, Antron McCray and Kevin Richardson. This past year, Netflix released the critically acclaimed four-part miniseries "When They See Us," directed by Oscar nominee and Emmy Award winner Ava DuVernay.

DuVernay began calling the group, the "Exonerated Five," to better reflect their status and reclaim their humanity after years of being vilified as the Central Park Five.

Sponsored by the Department of African & African American Studies and the Duke Law School.