Past Events

with Dr. Elizabeth Yeager Washington and Dr. Judith Pace
March 8th from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Elizabeth Yeager Washington is Professor and Coordinator of Secondary Education and Social Studies Education at the University of Florida in Gainesville, a Senior Fellow of the Florida Joint Center for Citizenship, and a Knight Fellow at the Bob Graham Center for Public Service. She earned her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from The University of Texas at Austin. She previously served as editor of Theory and Research in Education (2001-2007). She teaches secondary social studies methods, civics and government methods, and global studies methods courses. Her research interests include civic education, critical democratic citizenship education, and the teaching and learning of history.

Dr. Judith Pace is Professor of Teacher Education at The University of San Francisco. She earned her EdD from Harvard University. She is a qualitative researcher interested in classroom teaching and how it is shaped by teachers, students, schools, and society. Her research has focused on classroom authority and academic engagement, teaching for democratic citizenship, social studies teaching under high stakes accountability, and preparation of preservice teachers for teaching controversial issues. Her forthcoming book is titled Hard Questions: Learning to Teach Controversial Issues (Rowman & Littlefield).

Note that FFSF events are now online, hosted through Zoom. If you are a Florida Free Speech Forum member, you will automatically be sent an invitation to this event. Otherwise, to receive an invitation, please apply for membership.

with Reuters news service
April 12th from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

The Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Award is an annual $3,000 cash award, sponsored by The Brechner Center. The award recognizes excellence in reporting about freedom of information, access to government-held information, or the First Amendment.

A spokesperson from this year’s winner, Reuters new service, will be our speaker for April.

From the Brechner News announcement:

“For a series of investigative news stories exposing the enormity of preventable deaths in county jails across the United States attributable to suicides or medical conditions, a team of reporters from the Reuters news service is the winner of the annual Brechner Freedom of Information Award for investigative reporting.

Reuters reporters documented that the death rate is statistically greater in jails with privatized medical care supplied by outside contractors, raising questions about whether corners are being cut in the pursuit of profit. The team’s data reporting was augmented by interviews with grieving family members across the country, recounting how their loved ones failed to receive attention for life-threatening mental health problems while in custody.”

[Read the full announcement here]

Note that FFSF events are now online, hosted through Zoom. If you are a Florida Free Speech Forum member, you will automatically be sent an invitation to this event. Otherwise, to receive an invitation, please apply for membership.

with Sherry Kitchens, Ed.S. LMFT
May 10th from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Sherry Kitchens, Ed.S. LMFT is the President/CEO of the Child Advocacy Center in Gainesville, FL and has led the organization since 2005. Sherry graduated in 1992 from Emory University with her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. She obtained her Masters and Specialist degrees in Marriage and Family Therapy in 1996 from the University of Florida, College of Education. Sherry has been a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist since 1999, Florida State Approved Clinical Supervisor since 2002.

Over the past 29 years, Sherry has had the privilege to work at the Alachua County Crisis Center, Gainesville Family Institute, CDS Family and Behavioral Services, and the Child Advocacy Center, Inc. Her work in Gainesville and surrounding areas, has included a focus on ungovernable, truant and runaway youth; traumatized and exploited youth; youth with substance abuse issues; and parents with concerns for their children’s safety and success. Sherry held a successful private practice in Gainesville 2001-2020.

Sherry provides training both locally and statewide on the commercial sexual exploitation of children/human trafficking, child abuse reporting, signs and symptoms of child abuse, child development, drug endangered children, normative childhood sexual development, sexual abuse of children, best practices in child abuse investigations, multidisciplinary team response, victim advocacy response, impact of trauma on children and their behavior, and many other related topics. She also provides direct services including trauma recovery therapy, forensic interviews, advocacy, case staffing reviews, crisis intervention, multidisciplinary team coordination and expert testimony.

Note that FFSF events are now online, hosted through Zoom. If you are a Florida Free Speech Forum member, you will automatically be sent an invitation to this event. Otherwise, to receive an invitation, please apply for membership.

with Richard MacMaster, coordinator of Gainesville’s Interfaith Alliance for Immigration Justice
September 13th from 11:30 pm – 1:00 pm
Note: Luncheons will now be held at the Holiday Inn Gainesville-University Center, 1250 West University Avenue
…

Dec 13th from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Dr. Paul Broadie II began serving as Santa Fe College’s fifth president on February 1, 2020. In his inaugural address he pledged the following pillars would guide his leadership and path forward: student success, individual and institutional growth, innovation, partnerships, and evolution.

His priorities soon included expanding workforce development, shattering equity gaps, enhancing opportunities for professional development, and continuing to grow strong academic programs. During his first few months he engaged key leaders on and off campus in discussions of potential partnerships, took steps to bridge the digital divide by providing students in rural areas greater access to technology, and challenged college leaders to change the mentality, where it exists, that college is not for everyone.

During this luncheon, Dr. Broadie will discuss innovative approaches to creating a college-going culture and impacting the community.

Note: Luncheons will now be held online via ZOOM. Details to join the meeting are sent to everyone on our email list the week prior to the meeting. If you’d like to be added to our list,
please reach out via our contact form or join as a member to be automatically added to our email list.

…

Feb 14th from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Description:

It has become increasingly clear that America’s version of democracy is under severe threat and may not survive. This talk will discuss how serious that threat is and, after concluding that the dangers are all too real, asks what a post-democratic America would look like — including asking whether and how democracy could be restored, and how quickly.

Speaker Bio:

Neil H. Buchanan is the James J. Freeland Eminent Scholar in Taxation at the University of Florida Levin College of Law. He holds a Ph.D. in economics and a J.D. and Ph.D in law. His work focuses on current generations’ obligations to future generations, tax policy, and the rule of law.

…