Knox County Public Library invites the public to join Jackie Clay and Ronni Chandler for a discussion of Rac(e)ing to Class: Confronting Race and Poverty in Schools and Classrooms by H. Richard Milner IV and Tyrone Howard, Wednesday, October 26, noon to 1:00 pm in the East Tennessee History Center auditorium, 601 South Gay Street, in this month’s Books Sandwiched In, a program series sponsored by the Friends of Knox County Public Library.
 
"Rac(e)ing to Class re-centers discourse on poverty AND race," Chandler said. "There is often a greater comfort level inside and outside of education to talk about poverty, while race is an uncomfortable--even taboo--topic.  But, BOTH poverty and race are impacting the educational experiences of our most vulnerable and marginalized students who depend on school for so much more than academic success. Community conditions and national events are influencing our children. Right here in Knoxville."

In addition to her position as Executive Director of the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge, Clay is a Field Instructor with UT’s College of Social Work. She previously served as Program Manager in the City of Knoxville Mayor’s Office, including the Save Our Sons program, a community crime reduction program with the aim to reduce violence and create opportunities for boys and young men of color.

Chandler describes herself as “an educator, by calling and choice.” For 14 years, she has been with Project GRAD Knoxville, a nonprofit partnership that supports students in 14 Knox County schools and focuses on graduation from high school and higher education. Previously, she worked 23 years at Pellissippi State Community College. 

On October 19, Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett will discuss "I Heard You Paint Houses": Frank "The Irishman" Sheeran & Closing the Case on Jimmy Hoffa  by Charles Brandt. On November 16: Dr. Stuart Brotman, Distinguished Endowed Professor, UT School of Journalism and Electronic Media,will discuss Free Speech: Ten Principles for a Connected World by Timothy Garton Ash. On December 7, Books Sandwiched In will feature a panel discussion of The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henriquez, led by Patricia Robledo, Business Liaison for the City of Knoxville.