The Benwood Foundation, UTC, the Ochs Center, and CreateHere co-sponsor this lecture series, named after the founder of the Benwood Foundation. The goal is to raise awareness of some of our most important public policy issues by bringing community opinion leaders, residents, students, and scholars together to hear from and engage in dialogue with national leaders. Each year, we carefully choose speakers that will challenge Chattanoogans to aspire to reach the highest standards of excellence in our government, business, and philanthropic endeavors.
Past speakers have included Madeleine Albright, Doris Kearns Goodwin, David Brooks, Majora Carter, Malcolm Gladwell, Geoffrey Canada, and Mayor Cory Booker.
Community Development
Mayor Cory Booker, 2010: Mayor Booker has begun work on realizing a bold vision for the city. Newark's mission is to set a national standard for urban transformation by marshalling its resources to achieve security, economic abundance and an environment that is nurturing and empowering for individuals and families. Radical transformation of the Newark Police Department under Mayor Booker's leadership, together with the deployment of over 100 surveillance cameras throughout the City, has led to Newark setting the nationwide pace for crime reduction. David Brooks, 2009: Mr. Brooks is a columnist for the New York Times and author of two social commentaries including the best-seller Bobos in Paradise. Play Video Fred Kent, 2008: Fred Kent the founder of Project for Public Spaces. He is a leading authority on revitalizing city spaces and one of the foremost speakers on livability, smart growth, and the future of the city. Play Video
Arts & Culture
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Malcolm Gladwell, 2010: Malcolm Gladwell has been a staff writer with The New Yorker magazine since 1996. He is the author of four books, "The Tipping Point: How Little Things Make a Big Difference" (2000), "Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking" (2005), and "Outliers: The Story of Success" (2008) all of which were number-one New York Times bestsellers. His latest book, "What the Dog Saw" (2009) is a compilation of stories published in The New Yorker. In 2005 he was named one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People. |
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Doris Kearns Goodwin, 2009: Ms. Goodwin is a world-renowned historian, expert on presidential politics, and Pulitzer Prize winner. Her most recent book is Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln.
Speaking just one week prior to the presidential inauguration, her lecture will focus on leadership lessons learned from Abraham Lincoln. Play Video |
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Dr. Madeleine Albright, 2008: She was the United States' first female Secretary of State. She served from 1997 to 2001.
Now in the private sector, Dr. Albright serves on numerous boards and champions projects focused on global issues. Play Video |
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Environment
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Dr. Vandana Shiva, 2011: Born in India, Dr. Vandana Shiva is a world-renowned environmental leader and thinker. Dr. Shiva is a recipient of the Global 500 Award of the United Nations and Earth Day International Award. She has also received the Alternative Nobel Prize Right Livelihood Award and is a member of the Order of the Golden Ark. Play Video |
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Majora Carter, 2009: Ms. Carter is the founder of Sustainable South Bronx and works internationally to improve the quality of life in environmentally challenged communities. Play Video |
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Bill McKibben, 2008: is the celebrated author of The End of Nature, which is considered to be a classic work on the worldwide environmental crisis. Play Video |
Education
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Geoffrey Canada, 2011: In his 20-plus years with Harlem Children's Zone, Inc., Geoffrey Canada has become nationally recognized for his pioneering work helping children and families in Harlem and as a passionate advocate for education reform. Launched in 1997, the Harlem Children's Zone targets 100 blocks in Central Harlem with a comprehensive range of services for children and parents from birth to college. In October 2005, Canada was named one of "America's Best Leaders" by U.S. News and World Report. |
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John Merrow, 2009: Mr. Merrow is the Education Correspondent for the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer on PBS. Play Video
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Frank McCourt, 2008: Frank McCourt is the best-selling author of Angela's Ashes, ‘Tis, and Teacher Man.
His other accomplishments include teaching for many years in the New York City public school system and creating acclaimed theatrical productions. Play Video
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