The Morgridge Center for Public Service is hosting an intergenerational panel event on Thursday, Nov. 20 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the UW South Madison Partnership.
The event is designed as a conversation around learning from the rich history of public service in Madison, as we consider how to best organize and collaborate today, in the future and in celebration.
Find new connections and new ideas to imagine a vibrant, creative future for community engagement. Refreshments will be provided.
Four local panelists will be present to create robust conversations with members of the public and campus community. They were each chosen because of their connection and experience working with community organizations in Madison, and have been part of community organizing and service in many different contexts and settings.
Learn more about each panelists below.
Gery Paredez Vásquez, Executive Director of YWCA Madison
Vásquez’s journey with YWCA Madison began in 2012 as a volunteer racial justice facilitator, then coordinator and manager in the same department, eventually leading to her appointment as race and gender equity director in 2018. Vásquez’s deep-rooted connection to the mission of YWCA Madison is evident in her tireless advocacy for marginalized communities and her unwavering dedication to creating equitable spaces for all.
Tyson Jackson, Madison Metropolitan School District Director of Family, Youth, and Community Engagement
Jackson leads efforts to engage families as essential partners in student success, with a particular focus on historically marginalized communities. Throughout his career, Jackson has demonstrated a commitment to cultivating environments where students and families are seen, heard and valued. His leadership style, rooted in cultural responsiveness, collaboration and authentic engagement, aligns closely with MMSD’s values and strategic vision.
Tamia Fowlkes, Public Investigator Reporter at The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Fowlkes covers stories focused on accountability and local policymaking. She earned her MS in journalism from Columbia University – Graduate School of Journalism and her bachelor’s degree in journalism and political science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has completed internships at the Washington Post, the Rachel Maddow Show, USA Today – Network and the Wisconsin State Journal.
Emily Auerbach, Executive Director at UW Odyssey Project
Auerbach is a professor of English at the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a joint appointment in the College of Letters & Sciences and Division of Continuing Studies. She is the executive director of the UW Odyssey Project, a jumpstart program she co-founded in 2003 with WPR’s Jean Feraca using the humanities to empower families to break cycles of generational poverty.