Cities across the country are facing increasing social and economic inequality, and Houston is no exception. Despite Houston’s strong economic growth, income inequality has sharply increased over the past 30 years, and worker wages have been nearly stagnant over that same time period. Inadequate economic opportunities and a widening economic divide combine with racial and ethnic discrimination to place a particular burden on communities of color, preventing them from having the full opportunity to share in Houston’s success.
Yet evidence demonstrates that cities are safer, healthier and more economically vibrant when everyone has a chance to share in prosperity. Maximizing economic mobility and opportunity will only make Houston stronger. At this event, experts explored the importance of building community consensus around the need for a more equitable Houston; potential policy, programmatic and investment solutions to Houston’s most pressing inequities; and the implications for equity in the ongoing Hurricane Harvey recovery efforts as the city marked the one-year anniversary of the storm.
This event was co-sponsored by the Baker Institute Center for Health and Biosciences, the Houston Mayor’s Task Force on Equity, and the Office of Commissioner Rodney Ellis, Harris County, Precinct 1. Follow @BakerInsitute on Twitter and join the conversation online with #BakerHouston.
8:00 am |
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Breakfast and Registration |
8:30 am |
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WelcomeGinny Goldman |
8:35 am |
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Keynote Speaker — Why Equity?Michael A. Lindsey, Ph.D. |
8:55 am |
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Audience Q&A with Keynote Speaker |
9:10 am |
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Panel I — Priority SolutionsModerated by: Jo Ann Jones-Burbridge, President, Jones-Burbridge Consulting Quianta Moore, M.D., J.D. "An equitable future for all: investing in early childhood development" Beverly A. Ortiz Juliet Stipeche |
9:55 am |
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Introductory RemarksThe Honorable Sylvester Turner |
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10:10 am |
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Panel II — Equitable Harvey RecoveryModerated by: Jo Ann Jones-Burbridge, President, Jones-Burbridge Consulting Mayra Bontemps Bakeyah S. Nelson, Ph.D. "Environmental Equity in Houston:Building an Equitable Path Forward" Chrishelle Palay "Hurricane Harvey - How do we recover equitably? Shao-Chee Sim, Ph.D. "One year after the storm: Recovery Experiences of Harris County Residents" |
10:50 am |
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Call to Engagement and Next Steps |
11:30 am |
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Adjourn |