Speakers
Speaker presentations will be via Zoom. Once registered, you will receive an email with login instructions.
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The Foster Care System
Thursday, July 16, 2020 | 6:00-7:00pm
Presented by Stuart Jeffares at Max Broock Realtors via Zoom
Brenda Baker-Mbacke, CARE House of Oakland County
There are more than 400,000 children and teens in the Foster Care system throughout the nation and every single one deserves a chance at happiness, belonging, safety and love. Many of us have heard about foster care and much focuses on the negative aspects. The foster care system is a temporary arrangement where adults provide for the care of a child or children whose
birth parents are unable to care for them. Foster care is where children go when their parents cannot, for a variety of reasons, care for them. Foster care can be informal or arranged through
the courts or a social service agency and the goal is usually for the child to be reunited with their birth family but, may be changed to adoption when this is in the child’s best interest. -
The Flint Water Crisis with Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha
Thursday, July 23, 2020 | 6:00-7:00pm
Presented by Stuart Jeffares at Max Broock Realtors via Zoom
Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, Pediatrician, Professor
& Public Health Advocate
Dr. Mona’s research exposed the Flint water crisis. Her research revealed that children were exposed to dangerous levels of lead in Flint, Michigan. She is director of an initiative to mitigate
the impact of the crisis and has written a book, What the Eyes Don’t See: A Story of Crisis, Resistance and Hope in an American City. Dr. Mona’s book has been selected as the 2020 Great
Michigan Reads, a statewide effort to advocate education and reading. The fi rst 20 Next members who sign up will receive a complimentary copy of Dr. Mona’s publication. -
Detroit: Photographs & Planning History
Thursday, August 6, 2020 | 6:00-7:00pm
Presented by Stuart Jeffares at Max Broock Realtors via Zoom
Rod Arroyo, City Planner, Photographer and Adjunct Professor-WSU
Rod Arroyo will discuss the planning history of Detroit and share some of his images of the city. Ever wonder where our mile roads come from? Where will you find the only art deco
lighthouse in the United States? What impact did Chicago’s Columbian Exhibition of 1893 have on Detroit? You will learn the answers to these questions and much more during the
presentation. He will also share some of his images of Birmingham. -
Monarch Butterflies
Thursday, August 13, 2020 | 6:00-7:00pm
Presented by Stuart Jeffares at Max Broock Realtors via Zoom
Christina Funk, Naturalist, Educator - Troy Stage Nature Center
The monarch butterfl ies of North America travel up to 3,000 miles during their unique two-way migration every year. September is the time of year when many of Michigan’s monarchs
are beginning their journey to Mexico. We will explore the habitat of the monarch butterfly and discover their natural history. You will also learn about the tagging and release of live
monarchs to further research about this fascinating butterfly. -
Challenges of the Middle East
Thursday, August 27, 2020 | 6:00-7:00pm
Presented by Stuart Jeffares at Max Broock Realtors via Zoom
Dr. Frederic S. Pearson, Professor of Political Science, Director of Center for Peace & Confl ict Studies - WSU
Persistent challenges confront world politics and US policy in both the Middle East and East Asia. Issues ranging from US-Iranian relations to Russian penetration, Syrian and Yemeni
civil wars, Turkish and Saudi excesses and lack of a Palestinian agreement plague the region. The complicated future of US Chinese relations, ranging from military confrontation over the
South China Sea to trade and technology policy — plus concerns about nuclear armed North Korea — similarly create Asian uncertainties. We will review both situations and their complexities, prospects and dangers.