Tuesday, May 12th at 7:00 PM at the Inside Out gallery, The Great Lakes Bioneers will present the video Plenary by Manuel Pastor, titled Transactions, Transformations, Translations: Movement-Building for the Next America. A discussion will follow the video presentation, led by FFN co-chair Bill Palladino.

Facing rapidly changing demographics, growing inequality and increased political polarization in the U.S., movement builders are grappling with creating new cross-generational ties and a new understanding of the relationship between equity and economic growth. Pastor is an expert on demographic change, economic inequality and community empowerment.

We are all involved in movement building for the future. How can we make a positive change? How do we build movements based on vision and values and not interests and transactions? We invite the community to join us and encourage local non-profits, the general public, and social and economic community groups to send their staff and members to network with other participants who are involved in making this area a better place to live.

Manuel Pastor is Professor of American Studies & Ethnicity at USC, and founding Director of the Center for Justice, Tolerance, and Community at UC, Santa Cruz. He directs the USC Program for Environmental and Regional Equity, and co-directs USC’s Center for the Study of Justice, Tolerance, and Community.

Pastor’s research has generally focused on issues of environmental justice, regional inclusion, and the economic and social conditions facing low-income urban communities.

Bill Palladino, along with volunteers from the Great Lakes Bioneers will lead a structured discussion around Professor Pastor’s ideas, aimed at action-based solutions.  We’ll discuss his ideas through the filter of advocacy and activism in northwest Lower Michigan.  We’re looking forward to a thought-provoking evening.

Visit the event page on Facebook here.  And make sure to watch Manuel Pastor’s video presentation below.