Past Events

Join us for an online conversation with political expert Dr. Maya Rockeymoore and writer James Dale, co-authors of "We're Better Than This: My Fight for the Future of Our Democracy," primarily authored by the late Elijah Cummings, former U.S. Representative from Maryland's 7th District. Cummings, Dale and Rockeymoore tell the story of our modern-day democracy and the threats that we all must face together, as well as reflect on the life and career of one of our country’s most inspirational politicians. Elijah Cummings reminded people through his memoir that "in this country we don’t elect kings, and we cannot afford four more years of this false one." Boston Public Library President David Leonard moderates this program. _The Repairing America Initiative is the Boston Public Library's pledge to focus its 2021 programming and services on bridging the gaps that divide America. By prioritizing economic recovery, civic engagement, COVID-19 recovery, racial equity, workforce development, and youth engagement, the BPL is working to help Americans rise above the challenges they face._

The final installment of The Mission Persists 2020 series is a conversation with Secretary-General of the UN World Tourism Organization, Zurab Pololikashvili and Executive Vice President of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Myron Brilliant. Under Brilliant’s leadership, the Chamber developed the largest international government relations program of any U.S. trade association, conducting programming in over 50 markets. During the past decade, Brilliant has strengthened the organization’s ties to the global network of American Chambers of Commerce and foreign business associations and deepened engagement with multilateral and regional organizations, including the G20, IDB, IMF, World Bank, and WTO. Between 2009 and 2010, he was Minister of Economic Development of Georgia. As a Minister of Economic Development of Georgia, Mr Pololikashvili was responsible for overseeing the country’s long-term fiscal growth strategies, advancing foreign trade and investment policy initiatives as well as for promoting the development of the tourism, infrastructure and transportation sectors. He was instrumental in launching an innovative policy for the development of tourism in Georgia, prioritizing the sphere on both the government and private sector agendas. Image: WorldBoston and Pexels.com

The Red Sea has remained vital for global trade since the time of ancient Egypt. Once home to the spice trade, the Red Sea now sees millions of barrels of oil a day transported across its waters. With major nations like China, France, Italy, and the U.S. building large ports and bases in the region, what does the future of the region look like? How important is Red Sea security for global security? Can the region be a place of global cooperation? Image: WorldBoston

Lindsay Peoples Wagner, Editor-in-Chief of New York Magazine's The Cut and former Editor-in-Chief of Teen Vogue talks with Boston Public Library President David Leonard for a conversation presented in partnership with the Kirstein Business Library and Innovation Center of the Boston Public Library. In this time of crisis and social upheaval, some see an opportunity to start over and collectively build something new and better, whether it be about Black Lives Matter, climate change, #MeToo or human rights. According to Lindsay Peoples Wagner, it has to be younger people who drive lasting change because they are the ones most affected. “Young people—especially young people of color— are starting a revolution and saying that things aren’t good enough. We’re refusing to accept what older people are willing to give us because it’s unacceptable," she said. The only Black female editor-in-chief in the United States and a 2020 Forbes 30 under 30 honoree, Lindsay Peoples Wagner shares an invaluable view of women’s empowerment, marketing to GenZ, elevating your brand in the era of Black Lives Matter, hiring for diversity, and running a multi-million dollar brand with an editorial mission to view everything through the lens of inclusivity.     ## Links to more information Wagners's book recommendation: ["Dirty Diversty—A Practical Guide to Foster an Equitable and Inclusive Workplace for All"](https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/53928550-dirty-diversity) by [Janice Gassam Asare](https://www.forbes.com/sites/janicegassam/) . Wagner recently left Teen Vogue and is continuing her career as Editor-in-Chief at The Cut. [Learn more about this transition.](https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/04/business/media/the-cut-editor-lindsay-peoples-wagner.html) Wagner's nonprofit, [Black In Fashion Council ](https://www.blackinfashioncouncil.com/)

In December 2020, the MBTA approved widespread cuts to bus and commuter rail service despite objections from officials and transit advocates. Starting in January, twenty bus lines will be shut down, and weekend commuter rail service will end for communities along the Fitchburg, Franklin, Greenbush, Haverhill, Kingston/Plymouth, Lowell and Needham lines. What impacts will the cuts have on the Commonwealth’s pandemic recovery? Many lawmakers, transportation advocates and Gateway City business owners say public transit is essential for equitable and enduring pandemic navigation - both in terms of public health and the economy. But with the grim realities of budget shortfalls from the pandemic, transit agencies across the country face similar cuts. Join GBH transit reporter Bob Seay, MassINC’s transit-oriented development fellow Dr. Tracy Corley, Steven Higashide of TransitCenter, State Representative Andy Vargas for the 3rd Essex District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, and Will Dickerson, the executive director of Brockton Interfaith Community, as they discuss the immediate and long-term impacts of service cuts and how they will impact communities across the state and nation differently.

Learn about a movement that grew from over 40,000 farmers in 2016 to almost 800,000 farmers in 2020 in one of the driest states in India. This work has been successful in part because of a community supported approach where women-run self help groups are in charge of operations. Vijay Kumar, advisor to the government of Andhra Pradesh, presents this program, and the impact of Walter Jehne's ideas for increasing drought resilience. Didi Pershouse, who accompanied Jehne on his trip to India, moderates the conversation. However, before you begin, Vijay invites you to enjoy this musical video, "[**One Earth Song," by Ricky Kej,**](https://youtu.be/3-_Rq8t_eA0) a tribute to farmers in India, to bring you in to his country for this conversation.     ## Resources Learn more about Didi Pershouse’s work and find out more about her book, “The Ecology of Care”: https://www.didipershouse.com/ Government of Andhra Pradesh, Department of Agriculture’s ‘Zero-Budget’ Natural Farming Programme: http://apzbnf.in/ Follow their work on [Youtube,](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCusizWOkz5Q0-F_TX0vKiPA) on [Twitter,](https://twitter.com/APZBNF) and [Facebook.](https://www.facebook.com/APZBNF/) Fact sheets and articles related to [the reasons behind 365 days green cover, and the intersection of soil, water, climate, and health.](https://www.landandleadership.org/fact-sheets.html) List of upcoming courses that Didi’s group will be delving into [the successes in India and how similar projects can get off the ground around the world.](https://lali.teachable.com/ ) In particular this course, ["Regenerating Landscapes for Community and Climate Resilience,"](https://lali.teachable.com/p/regenerating-landscapes-for-community-and-climate-resilience) (for which there is financial assistance as needed, particularly for people in the global south.) Here is a free [150 page manual Understanding Soil Health and Watershed Function](https://www.landandleadership.org/soil-health-manual.htm) (used in 60 countries). Jan. 2020 International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, [“Towards redesign at scale through zero budget natural farming in Andhra Pradesh, India.”](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338546247_Towards_redesign_at_scale_through_zero_budget_natural_farming_in_Andhra_Pradesh_India) National Geographic article on farming in Andhra Pradesh: [“Getting Back to Nature.”](https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2019/03/partner-content-getting-back-to-nature/)   Photo Credit: Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming

Cambridge Forum partners with the Harvard Square Business Association to examine Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy and Black Lives Matter’s impact on the history of Cambridge, Boston and beyond. Speakers include Denise Jillson, Executive Director of HSBA and Denise Simmons, Cambridge City Councillor. In addition Imari Paris Jeffries, Executive Director of King Boston discusses the planned three-story “Embrace” memorial to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King.

When Nadia Owusu moved to New York City at age 18, she had already lived in five countries outside the United States and her parents’ homelands of Ghana (her father’s) and Armenia (her mother’s family). She grew up disconnected, without a culture she called her own. In _Aftershocks_ she shares her jarring story of being state-less and, ultimately, parent-less, as the survivor of trauma; she describes the heart and will it takes to pull though. Listen to her life and memoir that looks at race identity and immigration, the seismic emotional toll of family secrets, and the push and pull of belonging in the United States. Image: book cover

Dr. Mahadevan shares his extraordinary gift for revealing the underlying structures of objects, systems and processes in Nature. One does not need to be a mathematician to appreciate the properties of what seems ordinary when Dr. Mahadevan demonstrates how to look, how to think in a whole new way. Image: Belmont Media Center

With a vision of justice for all, Garza, one of the co-founders of Black Lives Matter, engages audiences in discussion about race relations in America and how activism from the fringes became the national movement it is today, galvanizing individuals to stand up and together against the state violence, police brutality and social injustice plaguing our country. In this event, she talks with Boston Public Library president David Leonard. Alicia Garza is someone who believes that black communities deserve what all communities deserve — to be powerful in every aspect of their lives. That’s what drives Garza as an innovator, strategist, internationally recognized organizer and writer. In 2018, she founded the Black Futures Lab, which works to make Black people powerful in politics. In her first book, The Purpose of Power: How We Come Together When We Fall Apart with One World (Penguin Random House), Garza shares her thoughts on politics and pop culture from her podcast, Lady Don't Take No. She warns you — hashtags don’t start movements. People do. ## Links to more information To purchase a copy of “The Purpose of Power” visit Trident Booksellers & Café’s website >> https://www.tridentbookscafe.com/book/9780525509684 (Use the coupon code BPLSHIP and get it shipped free!) TIME most 100 influential people: ["Black Lives Matter Founders Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors and Opal Tometi,"](https://time.com/collection/100-most-influential-people-2020/5888228/black-lives-matter-founders/) Sept. 22, 2020