Ferguson 1000 Presents at Harvard with Solutions for Rebuilding Ferguson and Urban America
Ferguson, MO (PRWEB) January 18, 2015 -- A group of representatives from the Ferguson area, as well as the Ferguson 1000 initiative, are traveling this weekend to Harvard University to discuss lessons learned from the events that culminated with the August police shooting of Michael Brown. Ferguson 1000 Founder Dave Spence is sponsoring the trip that will bring Ferguson Mayor James Knowles III and Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson to Harvard on Jan. 17th for a roundtable discussion. Spence said systematic problems led to the unrest that followed and steps should be taken by U.S. cities to prevent a similar situation from happening again. "Lots of ingredients went into this boiling pot such as failing schools and lack of opportunity," said Spence, "These issues all added up."
Spence said the group will discuss unemployment, municipal systems, police departments and other issues at the core of struggling municipalities. Ferguson 1000 was started to promote job creation and training in Ferguson and North St. Louis. The initiative offers minority business development, job readiness training and youth development programs
The agenda will include showing the documentary, "Saving St. Louis". Saving St. Louis is a documentary that follows a quest to connect society's true "change agents" that have long been separated by invisible walls. It profiles Andre Norman's unique journey from a leading gang member, federal prisoner to a now acclaimed international speaker, bridging the gap between two distinct, but also similar groups of people: gang leaders, inner-city activists, and corporate CEOs. Intense and compelling dialogue confronts racial and economic anxiety while delivering hope and solutions for our most challenging cities. The panel will discuss the challenges facing the country in the wake of the events in Ferguson and in New York, with a focus on solutions that incorporate the voices of those often missing from policy discussions. Dave Spence is highlighted in the film for he and his wife Suzie's work in the inner city particularly in education.
The panel will include an array of business, civic, political and community figures from Ferguson, including Mayor James Knowles and Ferguson Chief of Police Thomas Jackson, as well as active protest leaders. Speakers include: Gabriel Baez, nephew of Eric Garner, Dr. Leah Gunning Francis, Associate Dean for Contextual Education at Eden Theological Seminary, Thomas Jackson, Chief of Police in Ferguson, James Knowles, Mayor of Ferguson, Dr. E. Lance McCarthy, Economist and COO of Ferguson 1000 Jobs, Paul Muhammad, founder of Peace Keepers St. Louis, Andre Norman, community organizer and inspirational speaker OOOPS, a local St. Louis artist and street poet (battle rapper) on the front lines in Ferguson, Rev. Charles Shelton, Urban Development Solutions, Inc., St. Louis, Monalisa Smith, Executive Director of Mothers for Justice and Equality David Spence, businessman and CEO of Ferguson 1000 Jobs
Where: Austin Hall, Ames Courtroom Harvard Law School
1515 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA
When: January 17, 2015 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
About Ferguson 1000:
Ferguson 1000 Jobs aims to bring together some of the St. Louis area's largest employers to give county residents - especially those in Ferguson - job training, business development, and employment opportunities. The organization was founded by businessman and former gubernatorial candidate Dave Spence.
http://www.ferguson1000job.com
Contact: drlanceproject(at)gmail(dot)com
Kimberly St Clair, Ferguson 1000 Jobs, http://www.globalhack.org/, +1 3143635944, [email protected]
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