Recent Activities
Lunch & Learn: Challenges in American Higher Education
April 17, 2024
Professor Mark S. Wrighton joined us to discuss current challenges for American higher education. These challenges include campus unrest stemming from political issues, different views about the war in Israel, aspirations related to establishing diverse, inclusive and equitable communities, and financial shortfalls. These challenges are evident at both public and private institutions. The erosion of public confidence in America’s higher education has exacerbated the problems within academic institutions.
Mark S. Wrighton is James and Mary Wertsch Distinguished University Professor and chancellor at Washington University in St. Louis. He served as chancellor at the university from 1995 until 2019 and resumed a position on the faculty. From 1972 until 1995 he was on the faculty in chemistry at MIT, and for the last five of his years there he was provost. While on sabbatical from Washington University he served as the president of the George Washington University from January 1, 2022 until June 30, 2023.
Lunch & Learn: The Power of the People-Understanding the Initiative Petition Process in Missouri’s Democracy
April 5, 2024
Speaker M’Evie Mead, director of strategic partnerships at Missouri Jobs with Justice and facilitator of the Will of the People Coalition, explored the history of initiative petitions in our state and reviewed current challenges in the Missouri legislature aimed at reshaping this important citizen-driven tool.
This event was co-hosted by Women’s Voices Raised for Social Justice and the Ashrei Foundation.
Watch the recorded presentation here.
Racial Justice Film Series: The Right to Read
March 29, 2024
Lunch & Learn: Pretrial Detention and the Criminalization of Poverty
February 22, 2024
Insha Rahman joined us to share stories from her work on ending mass incarceration and the criminalization of poverty across the country, including in New York, Illinois, Texas, and elsewhere. She offered lessons for countering the “tough-on-crime” rhetoric and reactionary backlash that stands in the way of advancing policies that deliver safety and justice for all.
As vice president for advocacy and partnerships at Vera Institute of Justice and vice president at Vera Action, Insha Rahman leads the development of advocacy priorities and campaigns. This includes partnering with government and communities to end mass incarceration, fight for immigrants’ rights, ensure dignity behind bars, and build safe, thriving communities for all. Rahman is a nationally recognized expert on bail reform and criminal justice. Prior to joining Vera, she was a public defender at The Bronx Defenders.
Watch the recorded presentation here.
Lunch & Learn: Arts at the Forefront of Social Justice
February 13, 2024
Speakers:
Renée Brummell Franklin, chief diversity officer, Saint Louis Art Museum
Nicole Ambos Freber, managing director, Opera Theatre of St. Louis (OTSL)
Emily Kohring, executive director, Bread and Roses of Missouri
Watch the recorded presentation here.
