Denise M. Brown to speak at UPenn

LEEWAY’S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO GIVE KEYNOTE ADDRESS AT UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA’S WOMEN OF COLOR CONFERENCE

Philadelphia, PA—February 15, 2010 – Leeway Foundation Executive Director, Denise M. Brown has been invited to give the keynote address at the 24th Annual National Women of Color Day and 3rd Annual Women of Color Conference at the University of Pennsylvania on March 5, 2010.

This year’s conference is the first full-day conference presented by the host group, the Women of Color at Penn (WOCAP). It is co-sponsored by the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice. The theme is “Environmental Genocide: The Impact of Generational Poverty”. Ms. Brown will present information on the intersection between the environment of poverty and social inequalities including health, crime, housing, and educational disadvantage with a particular focus on the impact to women of color.

The keynote address will be delivered during the luncheon, which is from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM.  During the luncheon WOCAP will also be honoring others who have made contributions to the advancement of women of color at the university and the greater Philadelphia community.

About the Conference

The Conference takes place at the University Sheraton Hotel. The conference fee (which includes continental breakfast and admission to the luncheon) is $100. Admissions to the awards luncheon only is $45. For ticket information, contact Ms. Blue at aarc@upenn.edu or call (215) 898-0104.

The full day begins at 9:00 AM and ends at 5:00 PM. Workshop topics include: Overcoming the Psychological Impact of Being Raised Poor, Raising Sons in an Environment of Violence/Substance Abuse, and Intervening with Adolescents Exposed to Violence. Six continuing education unit credits (CEUs) are available for licensed Pennsylvania social workers and family counselors who attend the conference.

About Denise M. Brown

Ms. Brown has been Executive Director of the Leeway Foundation since 2006. She is currently Co-Chair of Bread and Roses Community Fund. In addition, she serves on the advisory committee of Philadelphia Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts and the boards of Delaware Valley Grantmakers, the Henrietta Wurts Memorial Fund, Scribe Video Center, and the newly formed Philadelphia Public Access Corporation. She served as Associate Director of the Bread and Roses Community Fund from 1998 to 2005. She previously served on the board of the Funding Exchange and the Women's Community Revitalization Project. A graduate of Brown University, Denise was a film programmer for the Philadelphia Festival of World Cinema, from its debut until 1998. She has also served as a panelist for the Philadelphia Cultural Fund, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, the Pennsylvania Humanities Council and others.

Conference Schedule

8:30 AM

Registration and continental breakfast

9:00 AM

Introduction of President Gutmann

President Gutmann’s welcome

9:15 AM

Plenary Address – Dr. Carol Spigner

9:45 AM

Response – the Honorable Jannie Blackwell

10:00 AM

Break-out sessions

12:00 PM

WOCAP Awards Luncheon

Presider – Raquel McNabb

Keynote Address – Denise Brown

2:15 PM

Break-out sessions

4:15 PM

Conference Wrap-up and closing

5:00 PM Reception