Rights Night
14th Amendment

Nina Shaw in conversation with Melissa Goodman Featuring a special performance by Alyesha Wise
Saturday, Jun 22, 2019 | 6:00pm Mark Taper Auditorium-Central Library

Reservations are available here.

What does it mean to be a U.S. citizen? Following the Civil War, the 14th Amendment was adopted to provide all citizens rights and equal protection under the Constitution of the United States. Over 150 years later, the 14th Amendment is one of today’s most litigated parts of the Constitution. Join us for a close look at the ongoing battle for equality with Nina Shaw, an esteemed entertainment lawyer and one of the founders of Times Up, Hollywood’s powerful response to the #MeToo revolution to fight systemic sexual harassment and assault in the workplace. Joined by Melissa Goodman, the Director of Advocacy/Legal Director at the ACLU of Southern California, who has also worked with Times Up, Shaw will discuss blazing new paths to empower diverse individuals across all races, classes, and communities. This celebration of inclusion will also feature a performance by spoken word poet Alyesha Wise.

Nina Shaw

Nina Shaw, among the founding organizers of Time’s Up, is a founding partner in the entertainment law firm of Del Shaw Moonves Tanaka Finkelstein & Lezcano. Practicing in the areas of television, motion picture, and live stage, her clients include successful and award winning actors, writers, producers and directors as well as entrepreneurs and entertainment executives. A profile in the New York Times calls her the “Hollywood Power Behind Those Seeking a Voice.” She was born and raised in Harlem and The Bronx.

Melissa Goodman

Melissa Goodman is director of advocacy/legal director at the ACLU of Southern California and heads the affiliate’s advocacy department—across offices from Kern County to the Inland Empire. In addition to legal and policy advocacy concerning LGBTQ rights, reproductive rights, gender equality, and the rights of people with HIV, Melissa continues to lead the organization’s advocacy to end discrimination against women directors and increase inclusive hiring in Hollywood. Among her cases include Garza v. Hargan, Mckibben v. McMahon, and ACLU of Northern California v. Burwell, each upholding reproductive rights.

Alyesha Wise

Alyesha Wise is a poet, teaching artist, TEDx speaker, and author of Carnival from Camden, NJ. Currently a Los Angeles resident, she has served as the coach for multiple slam teams and is the co-founder of Spoken Literature Art Movement, which provides poetry education and programming for poets. A 2-time Women of the World Poetry Slam finalist, Wise has been featured in Huffington Post, Buzzfeed, Afropunk, PBS and more. Ron Howard once described Alyesha’s work as “very powerful.”

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why do programs fill so quickly?

    ALOUD provides a unique experience for the public to engage with scholars, authors, and artists in the intimate 235-seat Mark Taper Auditorium. Library Foundation Members have the benefit of reserving for programs in advance of the public. Consider joining as a Member to receive this benefit, and check the website on an on-going basis for program availability. Be sure to subscribe to our email alerts, and visit our Media Archive for podcasts and other items from our recent programs.

  • Where does ALOUD take place?

    Unless otherwise noted, ALOUD programs are held at the downtown Central Library’s Mark Taper Auditorium.

  • Where should I park?

    We recommend taking public transportation. Parking for the Central Library is at the Westlawn Garage at 524 S. Flower Street. For more information, visit the Library’s website.

  • Should I purchase the author’s book in advance?

    We encourage you to purchase books from the Library Store. All proceeds benefit the Los Angeles Public Library. Books are made available for purchase when you reserve for a program online, and are also on sale at programs. In order to participate in the book signing, you must purchase at least one book from The Library Store. Members receive discounts on purchases.

  • Where can I find podcasts and videos of ALOUD programs?

    Podcasts and videos from our programs are available free online at our growing Media Archive. Visit the archive at lfla.org/media-archive to explore hundreds of podcasts and videos spanning 20+ years of ALOUD’s history bringing authors, artists, and t thinkers to the Los Angeles Public Library.