How ‘Making a Difference' Works: Approaches to Real Solutions
This year our theme, entitled “How ‘Making a Difference' Works: Approaches to Real Solutions” centers around the work being done around the country and the world in reshaping Black communities and improving the welfare and quality of life for Black people. During the conference, we intend to provide tangible examples from those who have gone beyond dialogue to creating change. It is our desire to spark creativity by sharing real solutions to the many problems we have identified in the African Diaspora.
Last year, we discussed the effects of policy choices at home and beyond with a close look at the economic, physical, and educational status of Black America. This next conference will provide the tools to implement successful strategies. We hope everyone will be able to walk away armed with the knowledge that these problems are not too big to construct practical solutions to change our communities.
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Running for Public Office (Workshop) - Malkin Penthouse
A workshop to provide training and discussion of 1) campaign management, 2) the double standards Black candidates encounter, 3) exploring and exploiting the revival of participatory democracy and 3) how public officials produce systemic benefits for constituents in office.
- Mayor Wellington E. Webb, Denver, CO
- State Senator Diane Wilkerson, Massachusetts State House
- Omar Abdul-Malik, Filmmaker
- Steve Jarding, Professor
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Beyond Public-Private Partnerships: Mega-communities, Booz-Allen Hamilton - Allison Dining Room
A case discussion with:
- Lloyd Howell Jr., VP, Booz Allen Hamilton
- Reggie Van Lee, Senior VP, Booz Allen Hamilton
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Transforming Lives: Models for Education Reform
Central to this discussion will be an analysis of how policy is a key lever of change in providing educational opportunities to disenfranchised communities. Additionally, panelists will discuss how their work will address the complexities of No Child Left Behind.
- Dr. John Jackson, President and CEO, Schott Foundation
- Stephanie Jones, National Urban League
- Dr. Heather Harding, Teach for America
- Drema Brown, New Leaders for New Schools, Director of Aspiring Principals and School Achievement
- Lisa Ulrich, Chief Learning Officer, Citizens Schools
- Dr. Ronald Ferguson, Harvard Achievement Gap Initiative (moderator)
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Wealth Building: Creating Wealth Where there is None - Nye B, Taubman
Black wealth still not on par with white wealth even as incomes increase. Exacerbated by the sub-prime mortgage crisis, the wealth of African-Americans has regressed as parents have been less able to pass their assets onto their children. This panel is a workshop to discuss present and potential solutions addressing wealth disparities and decline in the Black community.
- Ronald N. Langston, National Director, Minority Business Development Agency
- Daniel Hutch, Economist, EPA
- Amaad Rivera, Director, Racial Wealth Divide Program, United for a Fair Economy
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Solutions and Successes in Africa - Allison Dining Room
As heightened economic interest is driving a new examination of Africa’s potential, many successful models of government reform, trade, small and medium business development and social programs are reshaping communities in Africa. This panel will examine how different practitioners are developing solutions to address Africa’s challenges.
- Julie Sullivan, President and CEO, International Foundation for Education and Self Help
- William Guyton, World Cocoa Foundation
- Walter Carrington, Ambassador to Nigeria
- Curtis Valentine, MPP2 Candidate (Moderator)
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Criminal Justice: Hands on Problems Solving in Black community
The purpose of this session is to share successful strategies being used across the country to enact reforms in the criminal justice system. By dissecting the tactics of three campaigns focused on police accountability in New Orleans, the demand for drug treatment not jails in Maryland and criminal records discrimination in Boston, participants will learn strategies to employ in their own communities to fight for justice.
- Naomi Long, Director, District of Columbia Metropolitan Area
Drug Policy Alliance
- Stanley Porter, Boston Workers Alliance
- Norris Henderson, Co-Director, Safe Streets/Strong Communities
- Dr. William Julius Wilson, Harvard Kennedy School (Moderator)
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Creating Public Value in the Private Sector
- Lloyd Howell Jr., VP Booz Allen Hamilton
- Lisa Dolberry Hancock, VP Goldman Sachs Foundation
- Dwight Hutchins, Global Managing Director, Accenture
- Stephanie Mickle, Esq. (Moderator)
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Innovative Solutions: Renewable Energy in the Caribbean
This panel will be centered on the Caribbean’s role in meeting the “Energy Challenge’ through renewable technologies in the context of the Region’s move towards integration into a single market economy.
- William Hinds, Senior Technical Office, Ministry of Energy
- Dr. Cardinal Warde, Professor, M.I.T.
- Dionne Nugent, Senior Scientist Jamaica Public Service Company
- Dr. David Lewis, VP of Manchester Trade
- Gregory McGuire, Energy Economist, UWI, Trinidad and Tobago
- Jessica Lin, MPP2 Candidate Moderator
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Campaigns to Improve our Health: African-Americans and Obesity
Obesity levels in Black and other minority communities are consistently greater than in White communities, leading to higher prevalences of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, metabolic syndrome and stroke. Addressing Black obesity means more than examining diet--there exists a culture around Black weight management that makes Black obesity something altogether unique. This panel will delve into issues of race, culture, weight and health, examining best practices to combat obesity, areas needing improvement, and ways we all can help.
- Dr. Eric Bailey, Professor, East Carolina University
- Shiriki Kumanyika, Associate Dean for Health Promotion & Disease Prevention, Professor of Epidemiology, Department of Biostatistics & Epidemiology, UPenn School of Medicine
- Ian Smith, Diet Expert, VH1; Creator and Founder, 50 million Pound Challenge, Host, Meet the Faith, BET
- Dr. C. Frank Igwe, Hauser Center Fellow (Moderator)
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