Professor John A. Powell Talks "Access to Opportunity" to Valley Leaders

Professor john a. powell spoke to Valley leaders on August 14th at the Willard Elementary School in Warren. The event was put on by the Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative and the Trumbull County Interfaith Ministerial Alliance. 

The discussion focused on the concept of "Access to Opportunity:" that the neighborhood one grows up in and the opportunity structures, like high-quality education, a healthy and safe environment, stable housing, sustainable employment and political empowerment largely determine a person's success. In short, "place has a profound impact on health, well-being, and child development." He expands further by analyzing access to opportunity through GIS mapping of regions like the Mahoning Valley, where it becomes clear that opportunity is racialized. 

The solution to structural inequity, he says, lies in reducing fragmentation in our communities and regionalism in our country through organizing for sound, creative policies that work for all people. 

On behalf of those in attendance, we offer our sincerest thanks to Professor powell for spending his day with us and look forward to his next visit to the Valley.

Click here to download Professor powell's full powerpoint.