Upcoming Programs

Unless otherwise noted, programs are held on the second Thursday of the month and are free and open to the public. Programs are held at The Heights, 8001 Dale Ave., Richmond Heights, 63117. Come at 6:30 pm for coffee and conversation. Programs begin at 7:00 pm.

October 11, 2018

Homing In On Housing Policies: Moving from Segregation to Diverse, Inclusive Communities

Speakers: Dr. Molly Metzger and Dr. Jason Purnell

Have you ever wondered how St. Louis became and remains one of the most segregated cities
in America? Why do our neighbors in segregated communities suffer from substandard
housing, poor schools, food deserts, inadequate transit and lack of access to employment and
health care? What do we lose in human interactions by the lack of diversity in our community?

Our guests, Dr. Jason Purnell and Dr. Molly Metzger will speak about a century of discriminatory housing policies and practices in St. Louis. As Dr. Purnell wrote in the St. Louis American, “It’s not a pretty history, and we continue to live with its effects.” Dr. Purnell, one of the authors of the report,“Segregation in St. Louis: Dismantling the Divide”, and Dr. Metzger will give us a vision of a
better future with actionable recommendations.To quote from the report, “It is time to recognize and dismantle these divides for a more consciously inclusive and equitable St. Louis Region”.

Dr. Molly Metzger is an assistant professor at Washington University, a board member at the
Metro St. Louis Equal Housing and Opportunity Council (EHOC), and a founding member of St. Louis’s “Team TIF”. She received her doctorate in Human Development and Social Policy from Northwestern University in 2012. Her forthcoming book, “Facing Segregation: Policy Solutions for a Stronger Society,” will be out in November 2018.

Dr. Jason Purnell, an associate professor in the Brown School at Washington University, is the director of Health Equity Works (formerly For the Sake of All), a research-based initiative that translates data and research on the determinants of health into products to accelerate community action for health equity and opportunity. Dr. Purnell graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University, with a bachelor’s degree in government and philosophy. His doctoral degree in counseling psychology is from The Ohio State University. Dr. Purnell is a licensed psychologist and serves as member of the board of trustees of Beyond Housing.

Reservations are not required, but helps us plan. Let us know you’re coming here!

November 8, 2018

Policing In America: Problems, Perspectives and Priorities

Speaker: Heather Taylor, President of the Ethical Society of Police, St. Louis

December 13, 2018

Students Against Gun Violence:Young, Smart and Mad as Hell

January 10, 2019

Being Poor: No Crime, All Punishment

Speaker: Blake Strode, Executive Director, ArchCity Defenders

February 14, 2019

Reporting The News: Truth and Consequences

March 14, 2019

#MeToo #YouToo #NowWhat?

April 11, 2019

The Local Reality of Climate Crisis

May 9, 2019