Democracy in the Public Space
Join the School of Behavioral and Social Sciences and our partners for our lecture series: Democracy in the Public Space. In this series, faculty and local community leaders will discuss various topics related to civic engagement and how we all can make our voices count.
Mission Statement
The School of Behavioral and Social Sciences’ Democracy in the Public Space is dedicated to fostering a vibrant community dialogue on the principles of democracy, civic responsibility, and community involvement. Through an engaging series of lectures, discussions, and an educational poster campaign, we aim to inspire active participation in the political process, to address societal challenges, and to cultivate a culture of informed and engaged citizenship.
Democracy is a Verb!
March 4, 2024: How Activism Works
Sandra Celedon, CEO Fresno Building Healthy Communities
Lecture
1:00-2:00 PM, MJC East Campus, Forum 101
Watch the lecture HERE.
March 18, 2024: Mikva! Democracy is a Verb
Steve Miller, Professor of Political Science
Eva Mo, Professor of History
Film Screening/Lecture
6:30-8:00 PM, MJC East Campus, Forum 110
Watch the film HERE. Check out the discussion and activity we had after the film HERE.
March 25, 2024: Solving Local Issues
Talitha Agan, Focus on Prevention, Stanislaus County Opioid Safety Coalition, Instructor of History
Lecture/Workshop
1:00-2:00 PM, MJC East Campus, Forum 110
Special thanks to the following participants:
- Amy Yribarren, MJC Health Services, yribarrena@yosemite.edu
- Christina Kenney, CHAT-MPD Outreach, ckenney@modestogov.com
- Jennifer Marsh, BHRS Prevention Services/ Stan Opioid Coalition, JMarsh@stanbhrs.org
- Pathana Luangrath, Aegis, pathana.luangrath1@pinnacletreatment.com
- Anthony Arauza, LGBTQ+Collaborative, aarauza@lgbtqcollaborative.org
- Jose L. Chavez-Diaz, Golden Valley Health Centers, jldiaz@gvhc.org
- Mel Bledsoe, Community Assessment Response and Engagement (CARE), mbledsoe@stanbhrs.org
- Carolyn Walters, RAFT: Recovery Assistance for Teens BHRS, Carolyn.walters@countyofmerced.com
Watch what the speakers had to say HERE.
April 1, 2024: Tomorrow's Activists, Today
MJC Student Activists
Community Panel
1:00-2:00 pm, MJC East Campus, Forum 110
Watch the panel discussion HERE.
Previous Lectures
Fall 2023
A series of events, talks, and discussions around the topic of equitable housing.
Presented by Modesto Junior College Civic Engagement Project, MJC Behavioral and Social Sciences' Democracy in the Public Space, the MJC Library & Learning Center, and the UMOJA Community at MJC.
Thursday, September 28
Owned: A Film on Housing inequalities
Film/Panel | 7:00 pm | Forum 110 | MJC EAST Campus
Panelists
- Sharon & Dave Froba , Modesto Peace/Life Center
- Dr. José R. Díaz-Grrayúa, Associate Professor of Geography / CSU Stanislaus
Monday, October 9
Our Housing Crises: Local Leaders Weigh In
Panel | 1:00 pm | Forum 110 | MJC EAST Campus
Panelists
- Kristen Doud, Deputy Director, Stanislaus County Planning Dept.
- Joe Duran, Executive Director and CFO, Stanislaus Equity Partners
- Carol Ornelas, CEO, Visionary Home Builders of California, Inc.
- Jessica Hill, Interim Director of Community and Economic Development, City of Modesto
Monday, October 16
Local Housing & Environmental Justice
Lecture | 1:00 pm | Forum 110 | MJC EAST Campus
Lecturer
Bianca Lopez, Project Director, Valley Improvement Projects
Monday, October 23
Housing Segregation: A Local History
Presentation | 1:00 pm | Forum 110 | MJC EAST Campus
Presenters - Local History Project Interns, Modesto Junior College
- Kiarra Dixon, Kalvin Douglas, Alex Hamiel, Samantha Ho, Brianna Leigh, Robin Siefkin, Jaime Venegas
Monday, October 30
The Color of Law: Real-World Stories of Real Estate Discrimination
Panel | 1:00 pm | Forum 110 | MJC EAST Campus
Panelists
- Lionel Akpovi, Broker, Redwood Real Estate Group
- Chandra Howard, Professor of English & UMOJA Elder, Modesto Junior College
- Marvin Jackson, Professor of History & UMOJA Elder, Modesto Junior College
- Dejeuné M. Shelton, Director of Career Services & UMOJA Elder, Modesto Junior College
Saturday, November 8 and Wednesdays, November 4 & 15
Just Action: Book Discussions
- 11/4 @11:00 am | Salida Public Library | 4835 Sisk Rd., Salida
- 11/8 @ 6:00 pm | Turlock Public Library | 550 n. Minaret Ave., Turlock
- 11/15 @ Noon | Learning & Library Center | MJC East Campus
Thursday, November 16
Just Action: How to Challenge Segregation Enacted Under the Color of Law
An Evening with Leah Rothstein
Lecture/Presentation | 7:00 pm | Mary Stuart Rogers Student Learning Center | MJC West Campus
Sponsors
SPRING 2023
Reclaiming HerStory
March 6, 2023: Women's Bodies
Video Link: Domestic Violence 101: Foundational Information for Educators, Counselors, Staff, Students, and Community
Melanie Berru, Instructor of Sociology, MJC
1:00-2:00 pm, MJC East Campus, Forum 102
March 13, 2023: In Roe's Wake
Eva Mo, Instructor of History, MJC
Eileen Kerr, Instructor of History, MJC
1:00-2:00 pm, MJC East Campus, Forum 102
March 20, 2023: Unbought
6:30 pm, MJC East Campus, Performing Arts Center
March 27, 2023: Women in Public Life
Aishah Saleh, Academic Senate President MJC
Dr. Andrea Wilson, VP, Student Services MJC
Marian Kaanon, CEO, Stanislaus Community Foundation
Wendy Byrd, President, Modesto/Stanislaus NAACP
Sue Zwahlen, Mayor of Modesto
1:00-2:00 pm, MJC East Campus, Forum 102
FALL 2022
October 10: Gerrymandering
12:00-1:00 pm, MJC East Campus, Forum 102
Steve Miller
Political Science Professor, MJC
Watch the recording HERE.
October 17: Voting & Elections
12:00-100 pm, MJC East Campus, Forum 102
Donna Linder
Stanislaus County Registrar of Voters
Watch the recording HERE.
October 24: Public Service
12:00-100 pm, MJC East Campus, Forum 102
Melissa Santos
District Representative for Congressman Josh Harder
Watch the recording HERE.
October 31: What Officials Do
12:00-100 pm, MJC East Campus, Forum 102
Sue Zwahlen, Mayor of Modesto
Chris Ricci, Modesto City Council
Vito Chiesa, County Supervisor