Re:New the Local

How can we create and sustain an America that never was, but should be? How can we build a robust multiracial democracy in which everyone is valued and everyone possesses political, economic and social resources to live to the fullest of their potential? In the first conversation in our two-part series, a range of experts share ideas and policy proposals for renewing democracy in America, with particular focus on Virginia.

Co-presented by the University of Richmond Jepson School of Leadership Studies and Wake Forest University Interdisciplinary Humanities Program.

Speakers

Melody Barnes

Co-Director for Policy and Public Affairs, Democracy Initiative

A presidential advisor and director of the White House Domestic Policy Council during President Barack Obama’s administration, Melody C. Barnes serves as co-director for policy and public affairs for the Democracy Initiative. Barnes brings more than 25 years of experience working at the highest levels of government crafting public policy on a wide range of domestic issues. Barnes also holds appointments as a professor of practice at the Miller Center of Public Affairs and as a distinguished fellow at the School of Law.

Valaryee Mitchell

Director, Office of Community Wealth Building, The City of Richmond

Valaryee Mitchell has over 18 years of progressive experience with workforce programs including those serving youth, adults, people living in poverty, dislocated workers, re-entry and business. She has worked on many initiatives throughout her career centered around workforce development and has a wealth of knowledge and experience with policy development, program creation and management. Her career spans state and local program leadership and coordination. In 2018 Mitchell was named one of Style Weekly’s Top 40 Under 40. 

Corey D. B. Walker

Wake Forest Professor of the Humanities, Wake Forest University 

Corey D. B. Walker is an engaged scholar who critically examines the complexities of religion, culture, politics and public life. He is the author of A Noble Fight: African American Freemasonry and the Struggle for Democracy in America, editor of the “Theology and Democratic Futures” special issue of the journal Political Theology, and associate editor of the award-winning SAGE Encyclopedia of Identity. He co-directed and co-produced the documentary film Fifeville with acclaimed artist and filmmaker Kevin Jerome Everson. He has held faculty and academic leadership positions at Brown University, University of Virginia, Virginia Union University, and Winston-Salem State University and visiting faculty appointments at Friedrich-Schiller Universität Jena, Union Presbyterian Seminary, and University of Richmond.

Thad Williamson

Associate Professor of Leadership Studies and Philosophy, Politics, Economics and Law, University of Richmond

Thad Williamson is a sought-after professor and civic activist. His research focuses on the intersection of theories of social justice and public policy, particularly as applied to urban politics and economic policy. A recognized community leader on poverty reduction efforts in Richmond, Williamson has served as lead author of the Mayor’s Anti-Poverty Commission Report, the first director of the City of Richmond’s Office of Community Wealth Building, and as a senior policy advisor in the Mayor’s Office. He is the author of Sprawl, Justice and Citizenship: The Civic Costs of the American Way of Life; co-author of Making a Place for Community: Local Democracy in a Global Era; and co-editor of Property-Owning Democracy: Rawls and Beyond.

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Photo © Jamelle Bouie