Oak Park Conference – Friday Afternoon Session, 18 October

Session Theme – “Building Relationships”

Healthy societies require strong interpersonal relationships to build a sense of individual purpose, a sense of belonging, and a sense of communal purpose. Relationships are essential to build trust, build consensus, build partnerships, and heal our divisions.

These sessions will discuss the importance of social connectedness and ways to mend our relationships. We will consider factors that help us connect and the benefits for everyone of building strong relationships.


Registration and Lunch

12:00 – 1:00
Student Center Multipurpose Room


Welcome and Keynote by PROUD Chairs

1:00 – 1:45
Student Center Multipurpose Room


Panelist Presentations
followed by facilitated discussions

2:00 – 4:15
Classrooms in Social Studies and Humanities Buildings

The schedule for the Friday afternoon session is tentative.
Speakers and panels may change.


Social Connectedness

D’Andre Braddix, Ed.D., executive director of DEI, STLCC

Dwayne James, Ed.D
Community Development & Dir. of DEI, MU Extension

Rodney Fickas
Owner, SoulCraft

Neighborhoods
& Housing

Dan Monti, Ph.D
Prof. of Sociology & Anthropology, Saint Louis University

Robin Harvey
Legal Services of Eastern Missouri

Jim Bax
Legal Services of Eastern Missouri

Economic Development

Madye Henson-McCannon. DM
Principal, CentricIMPACT

Michael Gearhart, Ph.D
Asst. Prof. of Social Work, UMSL


Education & Youth Empowerment

Community Safety

Giving Voice Through the Arts

Stefani Weeden-Smith
St. Louis Anchor Action Network

Precious Berry
Youth Activist

Cpt. Ron Johnson
Author, “13 Days in Ferguson”


Delrish Moss
former Ferguson Police Chief


Christi Griffin, J.D.
Retired attorney, author, civil rights leader

Brian Owens
Recording Artist, Musician


Alice Bloch, Ph.D
former Head of Dance Department, Lindenwood U.

Dana Sebastian-Duncan
Art Therapist


Session Roundup

4:30 – 5:00
Student Center Multipurpose Room


SC = Student Center (location of Multipurpose Room)
SS = Social Studies Building (location of Break-out Classrooms)
H = Humanities Building (location of Break-out Classrooms)

Parking available for free in all campus lots, except where spaces are noted as reserved.