Various cities, U.S.-- In January 2006, Facing History and Ourselves and the Allstate Foundation presented a series of Community Conversations featuring South African Justice Albie Sachs and urban architect Vanessa September. The couple traveled to six metropolitan areas nationwide (New York, Memphis, Cleveland, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles), speaking on the topic of Transformation in a Time of Democratic Fever and sharing their personal stories on the positive changes occurring in South Africa. Facing History and Ourselves and The Allstate Foundation are inspired by the response and support from the communities that welcomed Justice Sachs and Ms. September.

About Justice Albie Sachs and Vanessa September

A civil rights lawyer and activist struggling against apartheid since the 1960's, Justice Sachs was detained twice without a trial, lived in exile for 11 years, and was almost killed in 1988 by a car bomb planted by agents of South Africa's security forces. He has gained world recognition for his role in creating South Africa's new constitution and is the author of several books on human rights including The Jail Diary of Albie Sachs and The Soft Vengeance of a Freedom Fighter.

Ms. September is an urban architect who could only pursue her dream to study architecture after the fall of apartheid. She is currently working on urban regeneration and public sector projects. In the new book, The Free Diary of Albie Sachs, Justice Sachs and Ms. September describe the process of healing and rebuilding, including the symbolic transformation of Johannesburg's notorious Old Fort Prison into Constitution Hill.

As a part of their tour, Albie Sachs was featured on the Tavis Smiley program on PBS, and spoke about his involvement with Facing History and Ourselves. [1]

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