Engage

Listen to the second installment of our movement to promote equitable access to advanced mobility. Whether you attended our in-person symposium or are new to this initiative, this webinar will delve deeper into strategies for empowering Historically Excluded Communities in Southeast Michigan.

What to Expect

Keynote Address: Hear from Justine Johnson, Chief Mobility Officer, as she discusses the current state of mobility equity.

Throughout the history of social work practice, there has been a focus on subduing “deviance” in individuals as a means of combating larger social problems. “Deviance” being a subjective category, is often used to uphold power structures that only a few truly benefit from. Transness has historically been one of those forms of “deviance,” and although some progress has been made within our discipline, a lot of work is still needed.

As the 8th most economically segregated city in the nation, with a poverty rate that is twice the national average, unsurprisingly Ann Arbor is experiencing a housing crisis. Often not discussed is the fact that economic segregation heavily mirrors racial segregation, and like every other city in the nation, Ann Arbor has a dark history of racially discriminatory housing practices. Today, our once substantial Black community has been driven down to only 5% of our population, and now some of Ann Arbor's once historically Black neighborhoods are being sold as the hottest real estate in town.

Theater, music, storytelling, poetry, and other art forms have a powerful way of connecting with individuals, relaying social issues and oppression in a way that enables others to envision themselves experiencing it - allowing for more empathy and understanding. Join us in talking to local artists, scholars, and activists who have used the arts to fight injustice and achieve social change.

Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in elected office are powerful and pave the way for other underrepresented communities to join the political process. Join us as we discuss running for elected office as a BIPOC individual, how to become a candidate, representation and identity, and hear from several BIPOC candidates and elected officials who will be joining us as panelists. 

One of the Grand Challenges of Social Work practice is to reduce the harm caused by extreme economic inequality. From housing, employment, internet access, to healthcare - economic inequality is pervasive, and affects how we participate in the political, social, and economic spheres.

How do benefit programs like the Child Tax Credit, housing vouchers, etc., impact extreme economic inequality? Does Universal Basic Incomes (UBI) work, and how does it help? What other forms of assistance are needed?

Police violence against Black bodies rightfully has forced society to look more closely at our policing and public safety practices. The #BlackLivesMatter movement has highlighted the racist origins of policing in this country, and how excessive use of force often targets Black people with deadly results. Disproportionately, police are forced to respond to social, economic, mental/physical health emergencies.

From the cash bail system, to fines and fees while incarcerated, to the cost of reentering society, our society functions on a punitive system of fines and fees that often catapults those already experiencing hardship into a spiraling cycle of debt and repayments - never fully able to catch up. Join us as we explore the inequity surrounding fines and fees in our criminal justice system and its role in increasing race-based disparities. Featured panelists include Washtenaw County Prosecutors Eli Savit and Victoria Burton-Harris; and Dr.

Why do Black and Brown journalists matter? In journalism and other forms of media the narratives of Black and Brown people in America have often been told from a White or mainstream perspective, resulting in skewed presentation of issues, perpetuation of stereotypes and persistent marginalization. Join us for a virtual discussion on the importance of diverse representation in media, featuring local BIPOC journalists who will discuss their experiences in the field.

Identification cards allow those who have them to gain access to resources and fully participate in our society. Unfortunately, 11% of all American citizens lack an ID - that's over 12 million citizens across the country. Those without ID's are disproportionately from marginalized communities: 18% are elderly, 25% are African Americans, 20% are Hispanic/LatinX, and in general, 18% are individuals making less than $35,000 a year.