From Chocolate to Childcare: Local Think Tank's Latest Offerings

Nick Warren

The newly released schedule of events at local think tank the Jefferson Educational Society offers a wide variety of subjects covered, ways to get involved, and an opportunity to continue broadening your local and global awareness.

The Jefferson Educational Society (JES), a nonprofit think tank ​​founded in 2008 "to promote civic enlightenment and drive community progress for the Erie Region through the study, research, and discussion of ideas and events that have influenced the human condition," has just announced their programming schedule for the first part of 2024 with a fresh slate of speakers and events. These programs range in subject matter from culinary history to climate related issues, economic commentary to ancient Roman history – in total, more than 30 programs are planned throughout February and March.

Included in the upcoming schedule are 18 presentations along with two courses (one weekly, one monthly) at the JES campus located at 3207 State Street. These two longer-form, seminar-styled courses will include the continuation of the long-running "Great Discussions" program, facilitated by former Foreign Service Officer Christine Riehl, in addition to a new course, "Great Decisions 2024." This course will be a monthly gathering that examines critical, global issues with national- and local-level implications. Great Decisions will be co-facilitated by Diane Childo, a political science professor, national security expert, and routine JES contributor, alongside Riehl.  Through this program, which is presented in partnership with the Foreign Policy Association, participants will have the opportunity to draft foreign policy recommendations that will then be sent to the U.S. State Department.

Additionally, there will be 12 programs offered at JES satellite locations including Erie Center for Arts and Technology (650 East Ave.), Corry Higher Education Council (221 N. Center St., Corry), the Lincoln Community Center Library Branch (1255 Manchester Rd., Fairview), the Harborcreek Township Building (5601 Buffalo Rd.), and PennWest Edinboro (110 Kiltie Rd., Edinboro). 

Vice President of the JES, Ben Speggen comments on the importance of these satellite programs: "We want to reduce any barriers of access to the learning opportunities we are creating through our platform for civil civic dialogue. While it may be convenient to some to attend programming at our headquarters on State Street, we know it is not convenient for all – be it by proximity or lack of access to public transportation. We know this because we listened to residents in these communities that expressed that interest and those challenges." Speggen continues, "Thanks to the continued work of our Satellite Programming Coordinator, Raven Clark, our team helps host JES programming at its five JES Satellite locations – from inner city Erie, to Corry, to Edinboro, to Fairview, to Harborcreek – and is growing the number of programs offered annually."

The schedule also includes the JES's regular "Community Conversations" series, which are free programs that happen every Friday at 12 p.m. This series will include presentations from Ben Speggen, Court Gould, Daryl "Brother D" Craig, Sr. (Creative Community Connections), Drew Whiting (EDDC), Tina Mengine (Erie County Redevelopment Authority), and Kim Thomas (Infinite Erie). These speakers are all local leaders in various fields and will present on topics of local concern including the economy, local policy, planning, childcare, and more.

These Community Conversation programs, as well as all of the programming offered at satellite locations are free of charge, thanks to sponsorship from Erie Insurance. Speggen comments that additionally "All JES programming is free to Erie County students – whether they be a full-time or part-time college student, attending an area high school or middle school, or even a precocious or curious third grader. And, more than 75% of JES's programming is free of charge, period. If someone is experiencing financial hardship, the JES has scholarship funds available to ensure nothing stands between an inquisitive and interested learner and the opportunities we create."

The kickoff program scheduled for 2024 is a presentation in collaboration with the Hagen History Center just in time for Valentine's Day. On Tuesday, Feb. 6 at 7 p.m., Joyce White, a culinary historian, author, and consultant to historic museums will present "A Taste of History: Chocolate through Time." This event is free (but pre-registration is required, visit the JES website to do so) and will include a pre-event, chocolate-themed reception. 

Speggen concludes, "With all JES programming, our goal is not just to have 'something for everyone' but to excite everyone about something."

See below for a full schedule of the newest 2024 additions to the JES's programming. If you have questions or would like to register for a presentation, class, or course, visit jeserie.org, call 814.459.8000 or visit the JES office at 3207 State St.

2024 WINTER SCHEDULE

Lectures, Discussions, and Conversations

Tuesday, Feb. 6, 7 to 8:30 p.m. – "A Taste of History: Chocolate through Time" with Joyce White, M.A., Culinary Historian and Consultant. Term kick-off reception 6:00 to 7:00pm - Hagen History Center Lecture Series Visiting Speaker (Free)

Wednesday, Feb. 7, 7 to 8:30 p.m. – "Our Native North American Neighbors: Echoes of the Eriez" with David Frew, Ph.D., JES Scholar-in-Residence

Thursday, Feb. 8, 6 to 7:30 p.m. – "Raising the Next Generation: Examining Childcare" with Members of the JCLA Cohort presenting during the JES Civic Leadership Academy Graduation (Free)

Friday, Feb. 9, Noon to 1:30 p.m. – "From Gray to Green: Exploring and Comparing German US Models of Economic Transition," with Ben Speggen, M.A., JES Vice President - Community Conversation (Free)

Tuesday. Feb.12, 7 to 8:30 p.m. – "Care. Compassion. Community. LECOM Behavioral Health" with Danielle Hansen, D.O., LECOM Professor of Internal Medicine – Lecture Series in Partnership with LECOM (Free)

Tuesday, Feb. 13, 7-8:30 p.m. – "Another Devastating 'War' in Gaza: Are We Any Closer to a Solution to the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict?" with Baher Ghosheh, Ph.D., JES Scholar-in-Residence and Chairman, JES Board of Trustees

Friday, Feb. 16, Noon to 1:30 p.m. – "Tackling Erie's Childcare Crisis – Early Childcare Investment Policy Initiative" with Court Gould, M.P.A., and ECIPI Policy Experts – Community Conversation (Free)

Tuesday, Feb. 20, 7 to 8:30 p.m. – "A Celestial Treat: A Total Solar Eclipse Coming to Erie!" with Darren Williams, Ph.D., Astronomy Professor, Penn State Behrend

Thursday, Feb. 22, 7 to 8:30 p.m. – "A History of the US's Historically Black Colleges and Universities" with Johnny Johnson, M.Ed., JES Scholar-in-Residence

Friday, Feb. 23rd Noon to 1:30 p.m. – "Blue Coats: How a Grassroots Organization is Leading Erie's Anti-Violence Movement" with Daryl "Brother D" Craig, Sr., Founder & Executive Director of Creative Community Connectors Ministry – Community Conversation (Free)

Wednesday, Feb. 28, 7 to 8:30 p.m. – "Two years of Russian War in Ukraine" with Lena Surzhko-Harned, Ph.D., Political Science Professor, Penn State Behrend

Friday, March 1, Noon to 1:30 p.m. – "Sustained Recovery: The Future of Downtown Erie" with Drew Whiting, J.D., the EDDC Chief Executive Officer - Community Conversation (Free)

Monday, March 4, 7 to 8:30 p.m. – "The Constitution and Religion: Prospects for Religious Liberty in the United States" with Lee Strang, J.D., LL.M., Law Professor, Director of the Institute of American Constitutional Thought & Leadership at the University of Toledo – Brock Institute Visiting Speaker Lecture (Free)

Tuesday, March 5, 7 to 8:30 p.m. - "The Birth of the Women's Movement: 19th Century Women Who Challenged Their Times and Shaped the Future" with Andrew Roth, Ph.D., JES Scholar-in-Residence

Friday, March 8, Noon to 1:30 p.m. – "The Role of Economic Development Agencies in Rebuilding a Community" with Tina Mengine, B.S., Executive Director, Erie County Redevelopment Authority - Community Conversation (Free)

Monday, March 11, 7 to 8:30 p.m. – "Earthscape Erie: A Place-based, Earth-systems Approach Exploring Northwestern Pennsylvania" with Joseph Reese, Ph.D., Geology Professor, PennWest Edinboro

Wednesday, March 13, 7 to 8:30 p.m. – "The Loss of Democracy Then and Now: The Fall of the Roman Republic" with Ferki Ferati, Ed.D., JES President - Brock Institute Lecture (Free) 

Friday, March 15, Noon to 1:30 p.m. – "Infinite Progress – How Infinite Erie is Putting Plans into Action" with Kim Thomas, M.P.A., Infinite Erie Executive Director - Community Conversation (Free)

Courses at the Jefferson

Weekly – Tuesdays, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. – "Great Conversations Continued" with Christine Riehl, M.P.P. Former Foreign Service Officer – Discussion Group Sessions running: Jan. 23 through Mar. 12; Mar. 19 through May 7 – Limited Advanced Registration

Monthly – Third Thursday of the month, from Noon to 1:30 p.m. – "Great Decisions 2024 with Christine Riehl, M.P.P., Former Foreign Service Officer, and Diane Chido, M.S., M.A., Political Science Professor - Discussion Group Sessions running: Feb.15 through Sept.19 - Limited Advanced Registration

Jefferson Satellite Programming

East Erie - Erie Center for Arts & Technology (ECAT)

Thursday, Feb. 15, at 7 p.m. – "BirthRoot Community Doula Alliance: Promoting Healthier Birth Outcomes in the Erie Community" with Tica Nickson, B.S., Executive Director BirthRoot – Community Conversation

Thursday, March 14 at 7 p.m. – "The 'War on Drugs' and Its Impact on Communities of Color" with Rodney Clark, Ph.D., Psychology and Neuroscience Professor, Allegheny College 

Thursday, March 21 at 7 p.m. – "Erie's Black Wall Street: How a Local Non-Profit Works to Empower Black Entrepreneurs" with Kyra Taylor, B.A., Executive Director, Erie's Black Wall Street - Community Conversation

Fairview – Lincoln Community Library

Monday, Feb. 5 at 6 p.m. – "A History of Black Education in America" with Johnny Johnson, M.Ed., JES Scholar-in-Residence – Black History Month Lecture

Monday, Feb. 26 at 6 p.m. – "Far From Boring! - Making Physics Exciting and Fun" with Karim Hossain, Ph.D., Physics and Technology Professor, PennWest Edinboro – Science demonstration

Monday, March 18 at 6 p.m. – "When a Child is Worth More than the Worst Mistake He Ever Made" with Antonio Howard, Artist and Author – Lecture, Book Sale, and Signing

Corry - Corry Higher Education Council

Tuesday, Feb. 27 at 6 p.m. – "Corry Higher Education Council: The Future of Workforce Education" with Matthew Platz, Ph.D., Executive Director, Corry Higher Education Council – Community Conversation

Tuesday, March 12 at 6 p.m. – "Reinventing Rural with Impact Corry: What's Happening Now and What's to Come" with Charles "Chuck" Gray, B.A., Executive Director, Impact Corry – Community Conversation

East County/Harborcreek – Harborcreek Township Building

Wednesday, Feb. 14 at 6 p.m. – "When Erie was Freshwater Fishing Capital of the World" with David Frew, Ph.D., JES Scholar-in-Residence – Local History Lecture

Wednesday, March 6 at 6 p.m. – "All Washed Up - Discover What Washes Up on the Shores of Presque Isle" with the PA Dept. Of Conservation & Natural Resources – Environmental Lecture

Edinboro – PennWest (Edinboro)

Wednesday, Feb. 21 at 6 p.m. – "Movers of Edinboro: Remembering the Leroy and Beatrice Smith Family" with Melinda Meyer, M.B.A., Historian and author – Black History Month and Local History Lecture