Commons Good: Stewardship and Starting Points

Stacy Wegley
  • 4.3 (3)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE

The Commons Good podcast is about stewardship and starting points for learning and acting together to secure intergenerational well-being and equity for all. It makes visible the practices and progress of community pacesetters, sparking dialogue about what it takes to create legacies of dignity and inclusion, and build the civic muscle needed to expand vital community conditions.

  1. Ali Abazeed and Sara Elhasan, Dearborn Public Health Department

    09/30/2024

    Ali Abazeed and Sara Elhasan, Dearborn Public Health Department

    At a time when public health department budgets are being cut and their authority is being challenged the City of Dearborn, Michigan is taking a different path and investing in the expansion of public health in the region with a new public health department. The city leadership sees public health as essential for each Dearborn resident to thrive and ensure that no one is disadvantaged due to social position or other socially determined circumstances. In this episode we’re joined by Ali Abazeed, Director and Sara Elhasan, Public Health Advisor with the Dearborn Department of Public Health. We initially met Ali and Sara as part of the Communities in Context initiative in Detroit, Michigan and wanted to learn more about their community’s unique story. Ali Abazeed is the inaugural director of the newly launched Dearborn Department of Public Health. A Dearborn native, he recently moved back home from Washington D.C. where he served as a Public Health Advisor at the National Institutes of Health. He joined public service as a Presidential Management Fellow and has worked across the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in the Office of the Secretary, Office of Refugee Resettlement, and the Assistant Secretary for Policy and Evaluation. He has led a health and social policy portfolio ranging from homelessness eradication, the health of rural and tribal America, cancer prevention and control, and mitigating the effects of the global refugee crisis. Prior to joining the federal government, Ali served as an advisor at the Detroit Health Department where he bolstered efforts to reverse water shutoffs and revitalize human services following the city’s bankruptcy. He developed robust comparative perspectives working on maternal and child health with the United Nations in the refugee camps of Lebanon. Ali is a three-time graduate of the University of Michigan, holding a MPH, MPP, and a BS. Most importantly, Ali is a proud graduate of Fordson High School. Sara Elhasan is the public health advisor for the City of Dearborn’s Department of Public Health. A lifelong resident of Dearborn, she graduated from Fordson High School and went on to complete her BS in Public Health and BA in Sociology at Wayne State University. She later earned an MPH in Epidemiology from the University of Michigan. Prior to this role, Sara was a Data & Policy Fellow with the University of Michigan’s Youth Policy Lab, where she implemented research and data-informed policies and program improvements for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. She has also been an ORISE Fellow with the Centers for Disease Control, served as a legislative intern at the Michigan House of Representatives, and trained with the National Institutes of Health. Sara is passionate about giving back to her community and working to correct how sociocultural, political, and economic circumstances influence health and well-being. Outside of work, you can find Sara spending time with her family, traveling, or attending a concert! Explore Resources: Dearborn Public Health Communities in Context Vital Conditions for Well-Being -- Dearborn (select Dearborn in geography dropdown) First Person: Dearborn’s Devastating Flood Exposes Mistrust, Deep Divides (July 2021) Protecting Public Health Author

    1h 8m
  2. Maya Bhola, All-America City John Parr Youth Award Winner

    10/22/2022

    Maya Bhola, All-America City John Parr Youth Award Winner

    In this episode we’re talking with Maya Bhola, All-America John Parr Youth Award winner out of the city of Miramar, Florida. This award recognizes extraordinary civic engagement and leadership on the part of a young person in their community. Maya is the Founder of “Let’s Picture It”. An inclusive mental health group that allows community members to openly discuss emotions and life challenges. As part of the group discussions they create illustrations that reflect their feelings and help share their stories. Maya sees the need to create places where we can come together and understands that the choices we make today -- around ocean clean-up, new builds, and green spaces -- will become the starting point for future generations. Explore More:City of Miramar Named National Winner of the All-America City Awards 2021 (https://www.miramarfl.gov/1922/Miramar-Wins-All-America-City-Award)Miramar, Florida Named 2021 All-America City Award Winner (https://communitynewspapers.com/featured/miramar-fl-named-2021-all-america-city-award-winner/)National Civic League All-America Finalists Presentations (https://www.nationalcivicleague.org/america-city-award/participant-presentations/)The All-America City Award (https://www.nationalcivicleague.org/america-city-award/)

    40 min
  3. Justice Horn, All-America City John Parr Youth Award Winner

    05/18/2022

    Justice Horn, All-America City John Parr Youth Award Winner

    In this episode we’re talking with Justice Horn, All-America John Parr Youth Award winner out of Kansas City, Missouri. This award recognizes extraordinary civic engagement and leadership on the part of a young person in their community. Justice was recognized for his racial justice advocacy, law enforcement reform, tenant/houseless equity, and environmental sustainability.Justice serves as LGBTQ Commission Chair for Kansas City, Missouri and has begun a campaign to become a Jackson County Legislator. If successful, he would to be the first openly gay person of color elected to local office in Kansas City, Missouri. Justice believes in the need for representation and the value of community voice to identify their most pressing issues and solutions.Explore More:Youth, Social Media, Cultural Entertainment and Civic Action Fair Winners: https://www.nationalcivicleague.org/youth-social-media-cultural-entertainment-and-civic-action-fair-winners/Kansa City named 2021 All-America City award winner: Recognized for work to build equity and increase resident engagement: https://www.kcmo.gov/Home/Components/News/News/1630/625 Rising Kansas City Leaders with Justice Horn: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/197-rising-kansas-city-leaders-with-justice-horn/id1229279588?i=1000531999547We Before Me - Justice Horn (Campaign website): https://justicehorn.com/The All-America City Award: https://www.nationalcivicleague.org/america-city-award/

    31 min
  4. Debra Oto-Kent and Barbara Masters, Build Healthy Places Network Partners

    03/08/2022

    Debra Oto-Kent and Barbara Masters, Build Healthy Places Network Partners

    In this episode we’re joining forces with the Build Healthy Places Network -- whose work sits at the intersection of community development, finance, public health, and healthcare. They intentionally position partnerships between these sectors to leverage community-centered investments to reduce poverty, improve health, and advance racial equity. We’re grateful to be talking with Debra Oto-Kent and Barbara Masters about what this work looks like up close in community. How is the work evolving during this legacy moment? What does it look like to build a sense of belonging and civic muscle through authentic community engagement? And what are the opportunities and momentum they see in communities for moving from recovery to renewal?Barbara Masters is Principal at Masters Policy Consulting and brings more than 30 years of experience in health policy, philanthropy and government. Barbara serves as the Initiative Director for the California Accountable Communities of Health. Prior to leading CACHI, Barbara led the efforts within The California Endowment to develop policy change strategies and effective methods for measuring progress. She previously served as vice president of the California Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems (CAPH) and directed intergovernmental relations for the Los Angeles County Department of Health. She began her career in health policy as a legislative assistant for Senator Alan Cranston (D-CA). Barbara serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors for ChangeLab Solutions.Debra Oto-Kent, MPH, is the Founder and Executive Director of the Health Education Council, a nonprofit organization committed to promoting health and preventing chronic disease in underserved communities. The Health Education Council has worked at the forefront of cross-sector collaboration to create innovative, model programs promoting community well-being. In 2016, the organization received an Innovation Award from the California Department of Public Health and was named a Nonprofit of the Year in both 2016 and 2021 for its work in engaging residents to reduce health disparities in the Sacramento region. Debra serves on the Board of Directors for the West Sacramento Housing Development Corporation and has been recognized for her contributions through such awards as the Al Geiger Memorial Award for Community Service, Exceptional Women of Color (EWOC) Excellence Award by the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce, and the Unsung Hero Award, Senator Richard Pan. Explore More:Build Healthy Places Networkhttps://buildhealthyplaces.org/Healthy Neighborhood Investments: A Policy Scan & Strategy Maphttps://buildhealthyplaces.org/tools-resources/healthy-neighborhood-investments-policy-scan/Thriving Together: Belonging and Civic Musclehttps://thriving.us/vital-conditions/belonging-civic-muscle/Health Education Councilhttps://healthedcouncil.org/California Accountable Communities for Health Initiativehttps://cachi.org/Assessing Meaningful Community Engagement: A Conceptual Model to Advance Health Equity through Transformed Systems for Healthhttps://nam.edu/assessing-meaningful-community-engagement-a-conceptual-model-to-advance-health-equity-through-transformed-systems-for-health/

    1h 13m
  5. Khuram Hussain, Hobart and William Smith Colleges

    01/04/2022

    Khuram Hussain, Hobart and William Smith Colleges

    In this episode we’re talking with Khuram Hussain, Ph.D about what it looks like for colleges as anchor institutions to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion for greater well-being across their campuses and in their communities. Hear how the art of dialogue, the inclusion of under-heard voices, and a focus on systems change is creating better outcomes for students, staff, and community. Listen in to hear more about what it looks like to expand belonging and inclusion so all have the opportunity to reach their full potential. In June 2020, Khuram began serving as the Colleges’ diversity strategist-- overseeing the Offices of Intercultural Affairs, Academic Opportunity Programs and International Student Enrollment and Success. An Associate Professor of Education, he previously served as Hobart Dean. Khuram earned his Ph.D. from Syracuse University and has taught classes that explore social movements for racial justice in schools and the pedagogy of democratic, multicultural classrooms. For 20 years, Khuram has served as a dialogue facilitator, trainer and consultant to schools, universities, government offices, nonprofits and community organizations on issues of diversity and equity. His work has been recognized by the NAACP, the US Armed Forces, and community and campus organizations nationwide. He is the co-founder of Tools for Social Change (TFSC), a dialogue-driven initiative that advances equity and inclusion in the Finger Lakes. Let’s jump in to hear more about Tools for Social Change and the campus-community work he’s helping to lead.Explore More:Hobart and William Smith Colleges Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusionhttps://www2.hws.edu/about/dei/Building for Belonging, Hobart and William Smith CollegesBuilding for Belonging, Hobart and William Smith Collegeshttps://www2.hws.edu/about/dei/Hobart and William Smith Colleges Strategic Diversity Plan (December 2016, update in progress)https://www.hws.edu/about/pdfs/strategic-diversity-plan.pdfThe Office of Diversity and Inclusion, short film by Maggie Bonomohttps://youtu.be/oiPRfjAuX5YThriving Campuses: A Campus Guide for Well-Being, Equity and Thriving Together, Community Commonshttp://communitycommons.org/entities/d1afd683-2da3-4fad-88ab-f01311469b7dCampus Well Being Resource Library, Community Commonshttp://communitycommons.org/entities/d0be0f7c-f9b5-4f45-b78e-cd1ef8f85f78

    1h 14m
  6. Katya Fels Smyth, Full Frame Initiative

    10/28/2021

    Katya Fels Smyth, Full Frame Initiative

    In this episode we’re talking with Katya Fels Smyth about what it means to see and create change from a fuller frame. We too often see people as what is broken and our attempts to “fix” the human beings, allow problems to just get deeper. There is another way of thinking about how we orient ourselves, our public systems and our society that could give us all a fair shot. Listen in to hear more about our opportunities for creating more equitable health and wellbeing. Katya grew up in New Jersey and went to high school in Massachusetts, where she volunteered at one of the state’s first shelters for homeless families. While getting a degree in biology from Harvard, Katya continued working with people who are homeless, eventually becoming co-director of one of Cambridge, MA’s first emergency shelters.A hit-and-run of one of the shelter’s guests, uninvestigated by police, combined with the advice and vision of other shelter guests, led her to found Cambridge-based On The Rise, Inc. in 1995. On The Rise was widely recognized for its Full Frame Approach to working with women facing homelessness, trauma and crisis. In 2007, Katya left to work on what would become the Full Frame Initiative. She has an honorary Doctorate of Divinity from the Episcopal Divinity School, and a deep belief in the power of people to do good by and for each other. Learn More: When Social Services Undermine Wellbeing, David Bornstein, New York Timeshttps://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/16/opinion/when-social-services-undermine-well-being.htmlForbes-- Katya Fels Smythhttps://www.forbes.com/sites/katyafelssmyth/?sh=45ffcb52306fWellbeing Blueprint Leader Voiceshttps://drive.google.com/file/d/10pIiJJALaFJK7l-lH_OCdN9tEUzCUGyH/viewBeing safe and feeling safe aren’t the same thing-- and the difference will matter to kids when the school opens. - Sandy Hook, Washington Posthttps://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2020/07/08/being-safe-feeling-safe-arent-same-thing-difference-will-matter-kids-when-schools-open/

    53 min
  7. Thamara LaBrousse, Tracey-Ann Anthony and Tamara Wadley, Miami Gardens

    08/24/2021

    Thamara LaBrousse, Tracey-Ann Anthony and Tamara Wadley, Miami Gardens

    “The City of Miami Gardens was incorporated in 2003 out of a quest for self-determination that unfolded as a six-year citizen advocacy campaign to form a new municipality in north Miami-Dade County where residents had grown increasingly concerned about declining quality of life.” As the city continued to develop, Live Healthy Miami Gardens was seeded in 2014 as a Collective Impact Initiative to drive citywide changes that would measurably improve the health of people who live, work and play in the City of Miami Gardens.Listen in as Thamara, Tracey-Ann and Tamara share how a community advocacy campaign laid the foundation for building structures and supports to sustain meaningful community led decision making. Miami Gardens has created a culture where the community starts with its assets, grows the capacity of residents to lead, and has developed a practice of stewardship.

    1h 3m
  8. Sean Dunne, Councilman Portsmouth, Ohio

    06/21/2021

    Sean Dunne, Councilman Portsmouth, Ohio

    The Commons Good podcast team is sitting down with the All-America City (AAC) 2020 finalists to learn more about the work and the individuals helping to steward it forward. In this episode of the All-America City mini-series we have the opportunity to connect with Portsmouth, Ohio Councilman and Shawnee State professor, Sean Dunne. Portsmouth is situated in southeastern Ohio at the confluence of the Ohio and Scioto Rivers—once the center of the nation’s opioid epidemic—this community is working together to write a new narrative and create a renewed future for all. Listen in as Sean shares how starting with what they had in common helped to create a dog park, spark youth leadership, secure funding to innovate with housing, and earn them three Guinness World Records—creating the momentum for generational change.

    45 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.3
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

The Commons Good podcast is about stewardship and starting points for learning and acting together to secure intergenerational well-being and equity for all. It makes visible the practices and progress of community pacesetters, sparking dialogue about what it takes to create legacies of dignity and inclusion, and build the civic muscle needed to expand vital community conditions.

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