Speakers

The Dutch Paris Escape Line - WWII

Thursday, January 20, 2022 | 6:00-7:00pm

Megan Koreman, B.A., M.A., Ph.D. - Author and Historian

The Dutch-Paris Escape Line helped about 3,000 people escape from the Nazis. It was created by about 330 rather ordinary men and women in occupied Western Europe in 1942. The rescuers hid Jews in Belgium and France or took them to neutral Switzerland. In early 1944, these rescuers began gathering Allied airmen who had been shot down and taking them illegally to Spain. Helping the Allied aviators led to a huge raid by the German military. Many of the resisters were arrested, tortured and deported to concentration camps. Join us to learn more about this important time in history and the heroes who put their lives on the line to save others.

Meet the Presidential Pets: Animals A-Z

Wednesday, January 26, 2022 | 12:30-1:30pm

With each new presidential administration, a new pet came to the White House. Our speakers, Cathy Collision and Janis Campbell were inspired to learn more about the dogs, cats and other
animals that captivated the public in their book “Meet the Pets: Presidential Animals from A to Z.” Gifted muralist and artist, Wendy Popko created whimsical illustrations for the book. We will learn how they researched this topic during the pandemic, using presidential libraries, newspapers and interviewing archivists. Their book will be available for purchase for $12.99.

Environmental Challenges

Thursday, January 27, 2022 | 6:00-7:00pm

Nicholas Schroeck, Environmental Law Expert, Professor, University of Detroit Mercy School of Law

Professor Schroeck’s work focuses on air pollution, water pollution, environmental justice, transportation and citizen suit enforcement. He returns to Next with an environmental update.
What are the latest advancements, threats and trends at the state, national and global levels? Join us to learn about environmental and public health concerns – from climate change,
the Great Lakes, the Line 5 oil pipeline, air quality and many other issues.

Please note: At the request of the speaker, facemasks will be required at this presentation.

Senior Compass Group's Panel Discussion

Tuesday, February 1, 2022 | 12:30-1:30pm

Have a question regarding the journey of aging? Join us for this informative presentation along with a Q and A session. The panel is ready to help you navigate as you make decisions for you and your loved ones. The advisors offer education, guidance, personal and professional experience and resources to assist you. The esteemed panel of professionals includes a certified Senior Advisor & Placement Consultant, a Financial Planner, an Elder Law and VA Attorney, a licensed Medicare/Medicaid specialist, a Funeral Advisor, a licensed Senior Realtor, a licensed Homecare Provider and a licensed Hospice Provider. A complimentary Honey Baked box lunch provided!

By Her Hand: Artemisia Gentileschi & Women Artists in Italy

Thursday, February 3, 2022 | 6:00-7:00pm

Docent - Detroit Institute of Arts via Zoom

Women artists played a vibrant and often untold role in Italy. How did they work and succeed in a maledominated art world? Artemisia Gentileschi is arguably one of the most famous 17th century Italian painters. We will also be introduced to a diverse and dynamic group of other Italian female artists that capitalize on the strong presence of Italian Renaissance and Baroque women artists in American and European collections. This presentation is available only for a short time and is a collaboration between the DIA and the Wadsworth Atheneum in Connecticut.

Location: via Zoom

Secretary of State - Jocelyn Benson

Thursday, February 10, 2022 | 6:00-7:00pm

Jocelyn Benson is Michigan’s 43rd Secretary of State and former Dean of Wayne State University Law School. As Secretary of State, she is focused on ensuring elections are secure
and accessible and dramatically improving the Secretary of State customer experience. A graduate of Harvard Law School, Benson is the author of State Secretaries of State: Guardians of the Democratic Process, the first major book on the role of the secretary of state in enforcing election and campaign finance laws. 

Please note: This presentation is subject to Secretary of State's schedule and availability.

Nutritional Supplements & You

Thursday, February 17, 2022 | 1:00-2:00pm

Dr. Michelle Crowder Davila will discuss nutritional supplements including vitamins, minerals, herbs, probiotics, etc. Due to lack of standardized regulation and quality control, it can be difficult
to know if your supplements are safe or effective. Michelle will share the evidence separating fact from fad.

The Ethical Issues of Photojournalism

Thursday, February 17, 2022 | 6:00-7:00pm

Garry Gilbert, Advisor to Oakland Press, Journalism Program Director - Oakland University

Photojournalism has a long and important history of revealing truths. Photojournalists expose wrongdoing, inspire hope and understanding and connect people around the globe through the language of visual understanding. They operate as trustees of the public and they carry a responsibility to document society and to preserve its history through images. Photographs can also cause great harm if they are callously intrusive, disturbing or manipulated. Due to technology changes, visual ethics is constantly evolving. We will examine the ethics of photojournalism in distinct parts. First, what is acceptable in the editing of photos and in the era of Photoshop, what standards have photojournalists adopted to assure the integrity of their images? Second, how do news editors decide whether to publish graphic or invasive news photos? Many have won Pulitzer Prizes, hailed as humanistic documents of war, famine, crime and natural disasters — and many may be simultaneously invasive and offensive to some.

One Health

Thursday, February 24, 2022 | 12:30-1:30pm

Veterinarian Karen Hrapkiewicz will explain how animals and humans are often affected by the same diseases and environmental issues. We are all connected! Antibiotic resistance, pollution
and food safety are all part of One Health. Karen will also explore many current local and global issues.

Understanding Female Racism

Thursday, February 24, 2022 | 6:00-7:00pm

Understanding Anti-Female Blackness Racism 

Dr. Patricia Coleman-Burns, Professor Emerita of Nursing and Adjunct Professor in the Department for Afro-American and African Studies - U of M

Dr. Coleman-Burns will focus on misogynoir, a term coined by Moya Baily that blends an extreme form of sexism against women, misogyny, combined with the French word, noir — hence anti-black female racism. Our speaker has studied implicit and unconscious attitudes and stereotypes that are often exacerbated when examining the concerns of Black women who are trying to find their way in this world. Participants can learn strategies for interrupting micro-aggressions, micro-insults, invalidations targeted at “Othered” people. We will examine unconscious biases, social cognitions and unconscious attitudes and stereotypes.