Scholars, community organizers discuss urban policy at civil rights roundtable

More than 60 civil rights leaders, scholars and community organizers from across the country recently gathered at the University of Chicago to participate in the first of a series of three roundtable discussions intended to identify evidence-based policy solutions to challenges that disproportionately affect urban communities. The series, called Urban America Forward, is hosted by the Center for the Study of Race, Politics and Culture , with support from the Office of Civic Engagement. "Cities are the cultural, scientific and social incubators of the world. But often their populations—minorities, immigrants and young people—are not trusted," said Michael C. Dawson, the John D. MacArthur Professor of Political Science and the College at the University of Chicago, and founding director of CSRPC. "We designed the Urban America Forward roundtable series to be a safe place for people to have frank and provocative conversations about solving the civil rights challenges that persist in cities across the nation." The first roundtable, held on June 19, focused on demographic trends, organizing, education, poverty and next-generation leadership. The next two discussions are planned for September and December 2015. They will examine housing, juvenile justice, policing, democracy, health, technology, the environment and infrastructure equity.