“Critical Conversations” is a series launched by GECC to discuss critical issues of race, poverty, affordable housing/housing segregation, mass incarceration and discrimination which disproportionately affect African-American and Latino children and families. As part of this series, GECC invites leading experts, psychologists, academicians and influencers in these areas to explore ways in which we can learn to advocate and effect needed change on the issues that matter most to our communities.

 A Critical Conversation: Criminal Justice

October 18, 2018

An eye- opening discussion. GECC hosted a thought-provoking and uniquely curated critical conversation about criminal justice intended to address the roots of mass incarceration, the current environment, and how ground-breaking advocacy programs and activists may change the course of history for the future. Panelists included: Jelani Cobb, Crystal McCrary, Jeff Fleischer, Christina Swarns, Dena Douglas, Tamaira Wilkes and Ashley Sawyer.

A Critical Conversation: The Digital Divide

October 1, 2017

A focus on bridging the Digital Divide - the gap in access and equity to STEM. The session started with a viewing  of the documentary  “Without  a  Net: The Digital Divide in America” , directed by Academy -Award nominated director Rory Kennedy, narrated by Academy-Award  winning  actor  Jamie  Foxx  and  presented  by  Verizon. The  film  highlights  the  fact  that  an  inordinate  number  of  schools  and  students  around  the  country  lack  internet  connection  and  access  to  computers and other electronic devices thereby putting the students' futures in jeopardy. 

Following the viewing, attendees participated in a technology town hall with several distinguished panelists who delved deeper into this topic and explored ways in which individuals and families can advocate for equity. The esteemed panel included: Akira Bell Johnson, Member At Large, Eastern Region, Jack and Jill of America, Inc.; Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick, President of Howard University; Gayle Jennings O’Byrne, Co-Founder of The Harriet Fund; Kamaya Jones, Researcher at Spotify; Omari Edwards, Founder of Beak; and Tyler Madison Holloway, Computer Science Major at Yale University.