MANSFIELD — The much-anticipated Kaleidoscope Series event featuring award-winning author Matthew Desmond is set to take place on Tuesday, May 7th, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. Hosted at the Renaissance Main Stage, this event promises an enlightening evening with one of America’s leading voices on poverty and inequality.
Matthew Desmond is renowned for his groundbreaking work, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning book, “Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City,” a deep dive into the eviction landscape in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
As a distinguished sociologist at Princeton University, Desmond’s research has provided invaluable insights into the realities of poverty and housing inequality in America.
“I think there is so much poverty in America not in spite of our wealth, but because of it,” Desmond said.
Beyond academia, he is a guide for those striving to make positive change in their communities. His upcoming keynote at the Ren will touch on urban sociology, poverty, race and ethnicity, organizations and work, social theory, and ethnography, hands-on learning of one’s culture.
This event is particularly relevant for Richland County, where housing inequality remains a pressing concern. Desmond’s work sheds light on the stark realities faced by many families across the country, including right here at home. Desmond’s research highlights the harsh realities faced by families in Mansfield and across the nation, shedding light on the urgent need for solutions.
When working with Habitat For Humanity, Desmond gave an interview touching on his own experiences and how he himself lost his home.
“If we care about promoting health and well-being among families and kids, we have to care about stable, affordable housing. We can spend smart or we can spend stupid,” Desmond said. Read the full interview here.
Even in the most desolate areas of American cities, evictions used to be rare. But today, most poor renting families are spending more than half of their income on housing, and eviction has become ordinary, especially for single mothers.
As we see families forced into shelters, squalid apartments, or more dangerous neighborhoods, we bear witness to the human cost of America’s vast inequality—and to people’s determination and intelligence in the face of hardship.
Currently, Matthew Desmond is the Principal Investigator at The Eviction Lab, a website publicizing nationwide eviction data.
“We hope this data is used by policymakers, community organizers, journalists, educators, non-profit organizations, students, and citizens interested in understanding more about housing, eviction, and poverty in their own backyards,” The website states.
The Kaleidoscope Series brings together thought leaders, innovators, and changemakers to engage in meaningful dialogue on pressing social issues. Through a series of events, the series aims to inspire action and drive positive change in communities across the country.
The Kaleidoscope Series event is made possible by the generous support of sponsors including the Richland County Foundation, Mansfield/Richland County Public Library, Renaissance Performing Arts Association, and Richland Source.
Don’t miss this transformative opportunity to gain valuable perspectives on addressing housing inequality and building a more equitable future for all. Reserve your spot now for an evening of inspiration and enlightenment.
For more information and ticket reservations, visit https://rentickets.org/event/kaleidoscope-series-presents-matthew-desmond/
