“We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history there is such a thing as being too late. Procrastination is still the thief of time…We must move past indecision to action…If we do not act we shall surely be dragged down the long dark and shameful corridors of time reserved for those who possess power without compassion, might without morality, and strength without sight. Now let us begin. Now let us rededicate ourselves to the long and bitter — but beautiful — struggle for a new world…The choice is ours, and though we might prefer it otherwise we must choose in this crucial moment of human history.” – Martin Luther King, Jr., Beyond Vietnam, 1967, New York City
The St Louis region must imitate the strength of Martin Luther King Junior—move through the human tendency to hesitate and instead make conscious choices to move boldly forward believing in the fierce urgency of now.
For five and half years, I’ve observed the patterns and participated in many of the social movements in St Louis. I will share with you blurred personal and professional reflections of my journey with St Louis beginning with my study of public health disparities at SLU, to my work as an activist with the grassroots community before Ferguson, to my systemic work with the grasstops community after Ferguson.
————
As a daughter of a community organizer and nurse practitioner, Julia’s passion for social justice and community driven change has deep roots. During her collegiate career, she studied Public Health, French, and International Studies, led the social justice publication, OneWorld Magazine, and worked in Public Affairs at the USDA, for a state representative in North City, and at the Advocacy Department at Catholic Charities. She most recently completed the Coro Fellows Program in Public Affairs and currently works on special projects and regional collective impact efforts at United Way in the Strategic Giving and Innovation Department.
————
Join us
Sunday 24 January
Potluck begins at 6:00 p.m.
Julia begins sharing at 6:45
At the home of Savannah Sisk
1817 Thurman
Apartment B
First floor, door on the left
Saint Louis, MO
63110
Julia, on the left
