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The Macro United Conference
Our 2023 Macro United Conference invites social work educators, students, and practitioners at all levels of practice to participate in this collaborative event where we will grapple with complex social problems; share policy research, practice, teaching wisdom; learn from each other; and strengthen partnerships to work together for social change. The conference honors social work’s root commitments to anti-racist and anti-oppressive policies and social, economic, environmental, and political justice.
The 2023 Conference broadens our Macro focus as we return to an in-person format! In partnership with the Macro UNITED Coalition, we announce the 2023 Macro United Conference: Rising Together to Protect Our Rights. To build a strong bridge to the future, the conference will underpin the importance of macro social work by (a) connecting the various areas of macro social work; (b) spanning micro to macro social work; (c) discussing the influence of social policy on macro social work; and (d) presenting research within and/or across macro social work areas. |
Plenary Speaker: Rebeccah L. Bennett
It is our pleasure to announce that Rebeccah L. Bennett, a leading community builder and social entrepreneur, will be our esteemed plenary speaker at this year's conference. Over the last two decades, Ms. Bennett has founded several organizations, including Emerging Wisdom, a St. Louis-based community and organizational development consulting firm, InPower Institute, a foundation committed to community healing and well-being, the Black Healers Collective, a community of practice advancing the healing and wholeness of African diaspora peoples, and Spirit Rising, a spiritual community supporting its members’ spiritual growth and liberation.
Throughout her enterprises, Ms. Bennett has helped tens of thousands of people and hundreds of organizations effect positive change in areas such as organizational and community leadership, economic development, racial equity, public health and safety, environmental sustainability, diversity and inclusion, community healing, and girls and women’s empowerment. Her areas of interest and expertise are wide-ranging, but her work is singularly focused on elevating the human condition.
We are honored to have Ms. Bennett speak at our conference and share her insights and experiences with all of us. During her keynote address, Ms. Bennett will speak on our theme of Rising Together To Protect Our Rights.
QUESTIONS: Gary Parker at gary.parker@wustl.edu
Throughout her enterprises, Ms. Bennett has helped tens of thousands of people and hundreds of organizations effect positive change in areas such as organizational and community leadership, economic development, racial equity, public health and safety, environmental sustainability, diversity and inclusion, community healing, and girls and women’s empowerment. Her areas of interest and expertise are wide-ranging, but her work is singularly focused on elevating the human condition.
We are honored to have Ms. Bennett speak at our conference and share her insights and experiences with all of us. During her keynote address, Ms. Bennett will speak on our theme of Rising Together To Protect Our Rights.
QUESTIONS: Gary Parker at gary.parker@wustl.edu
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Through a combination of shared space, capacity-building programs, and support services, Delmar DivINe catalyzes a vibrant, collaborative group of organizations that deliver effective services to clients, customers, and community. It is a historic building rehabilitation that is setting an example for community development, social improvement and collaboration in St. Louis and the nation. This mixed-use development for social innovators provides office space, shared services and other resources for nonprofits, foundations and community support organizations. The Residences at Delmar DivINe comprises approximately 150 apartments designed for diverse professionals at reasonable prices. Together, this once-neglected dividing line of St. Louis, infamously known as the Delmar Divide, is being transformed into the Delmar DivINe.
Attendees will have the opportunity to tour the building with its founder, Maxine Clark, and hear from a panel of service providers on the amazing work that that Delmar DivINe does for the St. Louis community. We are extremely grateful to the Brown School to provide attendees an opportunity to learn more about this amazing organization! Learn more about Delmar DivINe here: delmardivine.com/ |
Commitment to Community Speakers
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Charli Cooksey
Founder & CEO, WEPOWER Charli, a St. Louis native, has a remarkable background in education and nonprofit leadership. Her dedication to empowering individuals and communities is evident through her initiatives, such as inspireSTL, which achieved 100% high school graduation and four-year college acceptance rates for each senior class of scholars during her tenure. Deanna Finch Executive Director, United 4 Children As the executive director of United 4 Children, Deanna leads a team dedicated to ensuring that every child has the foundation to thrive. With Deanna’s extensive experience in business development and nonprofit leadership, she is passionate about improving the health and well-being of at-risk children and youth across Missouri. Lora Gulley Director of Community Mobilization and Advocacy, Generate Health Lora is a nationally recognized facilitator and change maker with over 20 years of experience in building authentic community engagement models to improve health disparities. With her goal-oriented and system-thinking approach, she is an expert in health policy and mobilizing others to take action. |
Dr. LJ Punch
Executive Director, The T Dr. Punch's mission revolves around education, violence prevention, and equity. Through community engagement in St. Louis, Dr. Punch bridges the gap between healthcare resources and the voices of the people, focusing on initiatives like the local implementation of the national "Stop the Bleed" campaign and the establishment of "The T," a community "Trauma Center" promoting harm reduction. Stephen Westbrooks Executive Director, Illinois Facilities Fund Stephen provides strategic leadership and manages operations, lending, and consulting activities in Southern Illinois, Missouri, and Kansas. With a focus on early childhood centers, fresh food access, and general human services sectors, he brings valuable insights to our discussions on social policy. |
Our Sponsors
