UB’s Civic Engagement and Public Policy research initiative is co-sponsoring a community forum on July 9 aimed at creating cross-sector, interdisciplinary approaches to problems in education, health and equity.

“Connecting the Dots: Community Solutions for Education, Health and Equity” will take place from 9-11 a.m. at the Canisius College Science Hall, 1901 Main St., Buffalo. Registration and breakfast will take place from 8:30-9 a.m.; networking will follow the forum from 11-11:30 a.m. The forum is free and open to the public. Parking is free in all Canisius College lots; no permit is required.

Forum participants will discuss how communities and institutions can partner to achieve equity on multiple levels and why bottom-up, community-based leadership must be used to reform the education and health systems.

The keynote speaker is Noelle Wiggins, director of the Community Capacitation Center in Portland, Oregon. Her topic: “Promising Practices for Building Community Capacity.”

Panelists include Gale Burstein, Erie County health commissioner; David Mauricio, chief of strategic alignment and innovation, Buffalo Public Schools; Sam Radford, president, District Parent Coordinating Council; and Jessica Bauer Walker, executive director, Community Health Worker Network of Buffalo.

Those interested in attending may RSVP to Natalie Graham at info@chwbuffalo.org.

Additional sponsors are the Buffalo Urban League, Canisius College, Community Health Worker Network of Buffalo, District Parent Coordinating Council, Jericho Road Community Health Center and the Partnership for the Public Good.