This month's One Bexley Real Talk community conversation on what environmental racism and ecological justice looks like around Columbus. What communities are targeted when large scale city development projects are planned? Who benefits from these projects? And what are the long term environmental impacts? Hear stories about communities who have been displaced by city development projects, learn about what communities are currently being impacted by commercial development and what that means for our environmental wellness around Columbus, and discuss what actions we can take to ensure a healthy environment for all.
Our conversation facilitators this month are Bexley Police Chief Gary Lewis, who will share his family's story and the legacy of Hanford Village, and Michael Wilkos, Vice President of Community Engagement at United Way of Central Ohio, who will facilitate a conversation focused on the past, present, and future of development around central Ohio and who it impacts.
The One Bexley Real Talk series is an ongoing conversation series where we come together to discuss pressing social issues, current events, and challenging topics around identity and humanity with the goal of building community and strengthening connections in and around Bexley.
These conversations are a way to actively engage our community to work toward the One Bexley Goal to “deliberately and comprehensively bolster our community culture to ensure that Bexley is welcoming and provides a sense of belonging for all community members and visitors.”
About this month's moderator:
Michael Wilkos is the Vice President of Community Engagement at United Way of Central Ohio. His team develops effective strategies to improve our communities. Prior to joining United Way, Michael was Director of Community Research at The Columbus Foundation. During his tenure at the foundation, he initiated, led, and managed more than $9 million in competitive grant-making to support holistic community revitalization in Weinland Park, an effort to stabilize and revitalize a mixed-income community near The Ohio State University. Before working at the Columbus Foundation, Michael served as Senior Impact Director and Director of Neighborhood Development at United Way of Central Ohio.