Dialogue & Distrust: A conversation on race, inequality, and civic cooperation
May 3, 2016 | Federal Hall, NYC
The event introduced the yearlong program and discuss the importance and relevance of civic engagement and how skills in the humanities can be used as tools for civic engagement. Hosted by Federal Hall National Memorial, the site where the Bill of Rights was introduced to the first Congress, the conversation was moderated by Shani Jamila, Managing Director of the Urban Justice Center, and features Christopher Lebron, Assistant Professor of Philosophy and African American Studies at Yale University.
TOWN-HALL EVENTS
Each of five events are moderated by local scholars and community leaders. All events are free and open to the public:
Gender Equality in the Workplace
July 26, 2016 | Albany, NY
What arguments have been advanced to keep women disadvantaged in the workplace? How have these arguments been overcome? What are the unique challenges women of color face in the workplace? What is the biggest obstacle for gender equality in the workplace today? These and other questions are addressed in this two-part event. After a brief history of gender inequality in the workplace, panelists discuss the systemic challenges women face today.
The Economics of Segregation
September 22, 2016 | Buffalo, NY
After decades of economic decline, Buffalo now appears to be on the upswing – affordable real estate in particular has attracted a wave of aspiring homeowners. However, add to this economic flux a legacy of segregation that ranks Buffalo among the top five most segregated cities in the country and it becomes obvious that African Americans are overlooked and pushed aside by recent economic developments after being hit hardest by the economy’s decline decades earlier. When we examine the intersection of economics, housing, and policy, “economic renaissance” starts to sound a lot like just another term for “gentrification.”
Migration and Inclusion ("Migración e inclusión")
September 22, 2016 | Jamestown, NY
In light of the current economic crisis in Puerto Rico and the growing population of Puerto Ricans in Jamestown, this public discussion will address issues related to migration, inclusion, and the complex relationship between the U.S. and its Territory. What are the larger economic and political forces that fuel this migration? What led to previous waves of migration? How might the Jamestown community become more welcoming to newcomers? What do the people of Jamestown stand to gain by weaving new Puerto Rican arrivals into their social fabric? These questions and more are discussed by the panelists and audience members in our public forum.
Partnering for Success: Buffalo, Schools, Kids, Parents, Community
November 14, 2016 | Buffalo, NY
Schools are expected to be an engine of social uplift and prosperity, yet, many factors limit their ability to improve student success. How can schools and their communities partner to address funding and other key questions? How can schools improve our social and economic future as a city? What can local businesses and organizations do to build a leadership pipeline for underprivileged youth? How might the private sector support public schools? And finally, how can the public school system help facilitate community collaboration and be an asset for the community?
Food Insecurity in Poughkeepsie
December 6th, 2016 | Poughkeepsie, NY
In recent years and especially in the Hudson Valley, the culinary industry has experienced an economic boom. How do we continue these developments in an equitable way so that everyone in the industry - from farmers to chefs to fast food workers - share in the benefits? What development opportunities are there for an urban center like Poughkeepsie amidst such a rich culinary region? What are the key economic and structural challenges the city of Poughkeepsie faces in the fight for food security? Finally, moving beyond questions of health, how does our relationship to food and quality of food serve as an index for measuring a good life? Before opening up the floor for public discussion, panelists will address these questions and more.
