Virtual Social Equity Conference Addresses Social Justice Issues and Racial Disparities

June 12, 2020
Humphrey School Building
The Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota.

Although the annual Social Equity Leadership Conference, hosted by the Humphrey School of Public Affairs and the National Academy of Public Administration, was a virtual event this year, the online presentations and discussions were never more relevant or timely than they are today. 

The conference, held June 8-12, is a widely anticipated annual gathering of scholars and practitioners who share their expertise on the best ways to address social justice issues, including racial and gender disparities in health, housing, education, and treatment in the criminal justice system. 

Presenters provided innovative suggestions for government, nonprofits and the private sector to achieve a more equitable and just society.

All the presentations are in the form of recorded videos or podcasts, and are available at the links below. 

Day 1

Welcome Remarks 

  • Laura Bloomberg, Dean, Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota

        Watch Dean Bloomberg's welcome remarks

  • Terry Gerton, President and CEO, National Academy of Public Administration

        Watch Terry Gerton's welcome remarks

Equity Innovation Lab Case Study: Advancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Hastings, Minnesota

  • Dr. Hedy Lemar Walls, Chief Social Responsibility Officer, YMCA
  • Lee Stoffel, Communications Coordinator, YMCA Hastings, Minnesota
  • Derrick Jaeger, Executive Director, YMCA Hastings, Minnesota
  • Mark Zuzek, Superintendent, Intermediate School District 917
  • Kristie Barse, President, Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce 

        Watch Equity Innovation Lab case study video

A Discussion of the Public Health System, COVID-19 Pandemic and Social Equity

  • Terry Gerton, President and CEO, National Academy of Public Administration
  • Dr. Georges Benjamin, Executive Director, the American Public Health Association

        Listen to Discussion of the Public Health System podcast 

Day 2

Gender Mainstreaming in City Comprehensive Plans

  • Ania McDonnell, Master of Public Policy '20, Humphrey School of Public Affairs

         Watch Ania McDonnell's presentation

Promoting Tribal-City-County Relations

  • Mitchell Berg, City Administrator, Mahnomen, Minnesota

         Watch Mitchell Berg's presentation

Day 3

Law Enforcement-Community Relations and Racial Injustice in Public Policy 

  • Laura Bloomberg, Dean, Humphrey School of Public Affairs
  • Kathy Quick, Associate Professor, Humphrey School of Public Affairs
  • Samuel Myers Jr., Professor, Humphrey School of Public Affairs

          Watch recording of the virtual panel discussion 

 A Discussion of Systemic Racial Inequity

  • Gary Glickman, Managing Director, G2 Advisory Services
  • Dr. Susan Gooden, Dean, Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, Virginia Commonwealth University

         Listen to Discussion of Systemic Racial Inequity podcast

Day 4

The Routledge Handbook of LGBTQIA Administration and Policy

  • Dr. Wallace SwanContributing Faculty Member, Walden University

         Download the Routledge Handbook

Queering Public Administration in Four Frames

  • Jennifer Haegele-Ryterski, PhD Candidate, University of Illinois - Springfield 

         Watch Haegele-Ryterski's presentationDownload PDF of Haegele-Ryterski's presentation

Day 5

The Brazilian Public Spirit Award: How Awards Can Be Used to Create Awareness, Raise Morale, Fight Corruption, and Inspire a New Generation of Public Servants at Local and Global Level

  • Eloy Oliviera, CEO, Republica.org

         Watch Eloy Oliviera's presentation Download PDF of Eloy Oliviera's presentation

 Managing Contradictions: The Challenges of Implementing Sumak Kawsay

  • Marco Castillo, Associate Professor of Government, New York City College of Technology

         Watch Marco Castillo's presentation

About the National Academy of Public Administration

Chartered by Congress to provide nonpartisan expert advice, the Academy is an independent, nonprofit, and nonpartisan organization established in 1967 to assist government leaders in building more effective, efficient, accountable, and transparent organizations.