Study to Measure Social Equity Issues in Dallas

A research organization led by UT Dallas Professor Tim Bray will provide an assessment of the quality of life for residents of Dallas’ different neighborhoods at a conference Thursday.

At the conference, the Williams Institute will reveal the 2008 Dallas Wholeness Index, which uses 12 indicators to measure disparities across the city. 

The Wholeness Index Report will highlight important changes and trends and include remarks from Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert.

The Williams Institute hosts its fourth annual conference at the Dallas Convention Center from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The theme this year is “Equity in a Time of Retrenchment: More Urgent than Ever.”  

The conference will offer public policy sessions on such issues as early childhood education, health care for underserved communities, poverty and racism, and neighborhood partnerships.

The luncheon will feature representatives of the McCain and Obama campaigns, who will discuss the importance of urban policy and equity for the next administration.

Tod Robberson of The Dallas Morning News editorial board will then moderate a “kitchen table conversation” with three leading policy analysts from Dallas.  Audience members will have an opportunity to ask questions.

The conference will close with a series of skill-building training sessions that focus on such issues as overcoming the growing language barrier in Dallas, increasing voter turnout during major and off-year elections, and increasing the overall graduation rate for the city.

The conference is open to the public. Registration is $90 for the full day or $50 for the luncheon forum only. Students can attend the full conference for the special rate of $40. A limited number of sponsorship tables are also available for purchase.  To register and for more information on the conference, please visit the Registration Web site.

As a kick-off to its conference and as a gesture of thanks to its community partners, the institute is also hosting an evening of jazz music Wednesday, Oct. 15, at Harwood 609 Dallas Live Jazz and Dinner Club.  Saxophonist Jimmy Greene will play with UT Dallas’ faculty member Kelly Durbin on piano. 

Greene, a pupil of the late saxophone great Jackie McLean, has six solo albums and has played with Harry Connick, Jr. and Tom Harrell.  The event is free and open to the public, with shows at 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. Harwood 609 will air the presidential debate between sets.

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