July 18 Forum Explores Local and National Poverty

More than 200 college students, community leaders, educators and others gathered at the Waetjen Auditorium on July 18 to hear local and national leaders discuss the causes and effects of poverty in Cleveland and around the country.

Audience members heard from speakers - who represented an array of viewpoints - and discussed topics ranging from education to the effect of incarceration on poverty to the impact of the labor movement.

The event was moderated by CNN Political Editor Juana Summers and Policy Matters Ohio Executive Director Amy Hanauer. Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity, CSU's Office of Civic Engagement and Policy Matters Ohio co-sponsored the forum.

Panelists included:

• John Corlett, President & Executive Director, The Center for Community Solutions
• Colleen Cotter, Executive Director, Legal Aid Society of Greater Cleveland
• Ronnie Dunn, Associate Professor in the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs at CSU
• Jimmy Kemp, Executive VP Federal Systems and President of the Jack Kemp Foundation
• Jim McLaughlin, Political Strategist and President & Partner, McLaughlin and Associates
• Baldemar Velasquez, Founder and President of the Farm Labor Organizing Committee

Click here to see photos of the event.