One Day Symposium: IN/Justice and the Built Environment

Advanced registration is preferred for this event, but walk-up registration is also welcomed. In order to purchase a box lunch, you must register by noon on March 16.

This daylong program will explore how structural inequities intersect with the physical structures that make up St. Louis. From real estate redlining; to the erasure of lands, neighborhoods, and cemeteries; to the ways that rethinking design can help close the gaps of injustice, this program will offer thought-provoking perspectives and a historical context for understanding the impact of the built environment and how it affects us all.

In addition, we will explore the roots of environmental racism and environmental justice efforts in our communities that focus on self-care, while healing ourselves, our families, and our communities with a nod to systemic change. The day will be filled with a morning keynote address by Dr. Matifadza Hlatshwayo Davis, St. Louis Department of Health Director; panel discussions; a healing and movement workshop; and a community sharing circle. Participants will leave with a renewed sense of joy and a vision for action.

Sponsored by Mackey Mitchell Architects.

African American History Initiative programming is presented by Wells Fargo.

This program is associated with Coloring STL, presented by the William T. Kemper Foundation. Education sponsorship provided by JSM Charitable Trust.

SCHEDULE

9:30am | Registration/Light Refreshments/Sounds

10:00am | Symposium Keynote
Dr. Matifadza Hlatshwayo Davis, St. Louis Department of Health Director, will center our day with an overview of the impact of the environmental racism created by the built environment on our communities from a medical and public health perspective. Dr. Davis will delve into perspectives of what we can do to eliminate environmental racism from our communities while holding dear our families, our communities, and ourselves.

11:00am | Morning Panel Discussion: Impact of Environmental Racism Created by the Built Environment
We will dive into a deep dialogue about the causes of environmental racism with a keen interest in historical and contemporary causes in the St. Louis region. A panel discussion and question/answer session will follow.

12:00pm | Lunch and Optional Forest Park Walk or Visit to the Coloring STL Exhibit

12:45pm | Afternoon Panel Discussion: Environmental Justice: Healing Ourselves and Our Communities
We will dive into a second deep dialogue about self-care, family care, and community care while creating opportunities for systemic change. A panel discussion and question/answer session will follow.

1:45pm | Healing and Movement Workshop
We will re-energize ourselves with mind/body connections and breathing. (For all ability levels; no experience necessary.)

2:30pm | Sharing Our Stories for Healing
In a community circle, we will share stories, engage in collective visioning, and create a self-care action plan connected to family, community, and systemic change.

3:30pm | Closing Remarks and Evaluations

SPEAKERS

David A. N. Jackson

WELCOME/OPENING REMARKS

Dara Taylor, Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility at the Missouri Historical Society

MORNING KEYNOTE

Dr. Matifadza Hlatshwayo Davis, Director of Health for the City of St. Louis

ENVIRONMENTAL RACISM PANEL: IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITIES

Moderator: Kristian Blackmon, Community Organizer, Creative, Arts Curator, and Coalition Coordinator of Homes for All St. Louis

Panelists

• Melisa Betts-Sanders, Principal/Architect at BlackArc and Lecturer at Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts, Washington University in St. Louis
• Dail Chambers, Artist and Consultant
• Aja Owens, Program Manager for Poetry for Personal Power
• Alayna Sibert Patrick, Founder of Soultrition LLC and Public Health Doctoral Student at Saint Louis University
• Pamela Talley, EPA Network Advisory Committee Member

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE PANEL: HEALING OUR COMMUNITIES

Moderator: Jessiree Jenkins, Interim Executive Director at the Arts and Education Council

Panelists

• Charli Cooksey, Founder and CEO of WEPOWER
• Leah Burnett, Founder of Growing Food Growing People
• Rebecca Hankins, Partnership Manager at Forest ReLeaf of Missouri
• Julia Thompson, Owner of Julia’s Farm STL

HEALING AND MOVEMENT WORKSHOP

• Ruby Streate, Master Dunham Technique Instructor at Katherine Dunham Centers for Arts and Humanities

SHARING OUR STORIES AND VISIONING CIRCLES

• Treasure Shields Redmond, Founder of The Community Archive
• Vynetta Morrow, African American History Initiative Community Programming Specialist at the Missouri Historical Society
• Ne’Vaeh Dudley and Danielle Haynes, Teens Make History Apprentices at the Missouri Historical Society

Register: https://10379a.blackbaudhosting.com/10379a/InJustice-and-the-Built-Environment