2018 Conference

Health care:
Doctors Lawrence Brown (Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health), Guian McKee (University of Virginia Miller Center of Public Affairs) and Stephanie Vomvouras (BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois) untangle the web of influences that has given rise to the complicated arena of health care in America.

Civil rights and music:
Legendary jazz pianist Ramsey Lewis, performer Maggie Brown, and renowned drummer and Roosevelt professor Paul Wertico discuss the impact of musicians and song on the ongoing struggle for African American civil rights.

Policing and prison reform:
Jamelle Bouie (Slate and CBS News) and Natalie Moore (WBEZ) discuss how to reform institutions of policing and prisons and fight racist policies.

#MeToo:
Authors Rebecca Traister (New York magazine) and Maudlyne Ihejirika (Chicago Sun-Times) assess the state of contemporary feminism and discuss how society can confront and overcome misogyny, violence and discrimination.

Common:
Actor and musician Common is joined by Chicago Public Schools CEO Janice K. Jackson and After School Matters CEO Mary Ellen Caron for a discussion on how to produce dreamers and leaders that can make a difference in a polarized society.