About the Event - Traditionally Elders are the wisdom-keepers selected by their peoples as caretakers of the sacred teachings, experiences, stories and practices of thier cultures passed down generationafter generation. John Ziegler Jr. arranges meetings with the Council of Elders whom share their collective wisdom in politics, education and the environment with students and members of their communities.

About the Organizer - John Zeigler Jr. is Director of the Egan Office of Urban Education and Community Partnerships (UECP) and adjunct faculty in Community Service Studies. He provides guidance in the Steans Center's goal of advancing DePaul faculty and student engagement with public agencies and community-based organizations and schools. John focuses UECP on critical social issues through innovative scholarship, technical assistance and educational programming in schools and communities.

John has worked with numerous grassroots organizations internationally and initiatives across the country helping to create change that speaks to the community's values. He recognizes that the most effective solutions to community issues should be community-driven and believes in the power of building effective social networks and creating opportunities for community partners to share their practices, promising ideas and challenges. John's research interests are interdisciplinary and range widely. He is currently finishing his doctorate in education where his research interest is focused on authentic participation of black community-based organizations in the privatized environment of public schools.