Race, Place, and Political Boundaries September 21, 2021 Oscar Ritchie Hall, Kent State University Part of our new Race and Democracy in Northeast Ohio Series— a collaboration with the School of Peace and Conflict Studies and the Center for Pan African Culture. We will be exploring the relationship between race and place, focusing on the significance of political boundaries–from redistricting to redlining. The event will be part teach-in/ facilitated discussion and part map drawing workshop. Join us for all or part…

Have you had a chance to check out our concept pages? We recently posted three new pages: Positive and Negative Peace, written by peace and conflict studies major and former GDP intern, Benjamin Jakubowski Local Government, written by KSU MPA alum and former GDP project manager, David Jirsa Freedom of Information Act & Public Records Act, written by KSU political science major and former GDP intern, Emily Murnane Check out all of the concept pages and learn how you can…

This week we posted our 50th episode of the Growing Democracy Podcast! In March 2020, our events came to an abrupt end. Casey and Ashley needed to figure out a way to pivot the project in a way the allowed them to continue their mission, while staying safe.  They decided to launch the Growing Democracy Podcast – an idea that they’d been toying with for a few months already. So, in May 2020, they set to work. They planned to…

Community Development & Growing Democracy Series, Part 8: Key factors for generating positive collaborations and partnerships in community development and the growth of local democracy? By Hannah Lebovits, Assistant Professor at University of Texas, Arlington (and former Growing Democracy project manager) [Part 7: University’s Role] Collaborative community partnerships can generate long-term community development efforts. But, only when these partnerships maintain a governance structure that ensures voice, representation, justice, and inclusion for those who have been historically marginalized from this work. …

Community Development & Growing Democracy Series, Part 7: What role do universities play in local activism efforts?  By Hannah Lebovits, Assistant Professor at University of Texas, Arlington (and former Growing Democracy project manager) [Part 6: Media and Organizing?] At the height of the Civil Rights era, universities were prime locations for activism efforts. Campuses erupted with demonstrations, sit-ins, teach-ins, protests and other organizing efforts. In cities where universities had a dominant presence, such as Berkeley CA, the university system became…

Community[: the] Heart & Soul [of democracy] by Dr. Jen Mapes, Associate Professor of Geography, Kent State University A few years ago, I got a call from two retired professors asking if I could prevent a Starbucks from being built across the street from their homes (spoiler alert: I couldn’t). As I looked into the details, a lot hinged on the zoning of a lot that sat vacant for years, after a funeral home was demolished in the space. It…

Community Development & Growing Democracy Series, Part 6: What role does the media play in community development efforts?  By Hannah Lebovits, Assistant Professor at University of Texas, Arlington (and former Growing Democracy project manager) [Part 5: Organizing and Community Development?] Media outlets- including local, regional, and national newspapers as well as radio stations, online news sites and neighborhood newsletters- vary in the roles they play in covering, supporting, and potentially harming community development efforts. Some outlets devote a beat to…