On April 2nd, 2024, the Project Coordination Team hosted UpLift’s Community Conversations Series event “Investigating Matthew Desmond’s Poverty, by America” at Drake University’s Olmstead Center. 

Through a partnership with Seattle Arts and Lecture, the team was able to begin the event with a viewing of a previously recorded, virtual conversation with author and acclaimed sociologist, Matthew Desmond. Registered attendees were allowed to submit questions directly to the author to be answered during the live event. Desmond discussed his latest book, Poverty, by America, and his potential solutions to addressing poverty in America.

After the viewing, the Project Coordination Team facilitated a small and large group discussion session with audience members to gather their thoughts and ideas related to Desmond’s key concepts and how they related to the issues low-income Central Iowans are facing today.

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