Signature Events

A Community Conversation with Matthew Desmond
Sunday, Aug. 25; 6:30 p.m.
East Lansing Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road
Community members are invited to attend this special community event featuring author Matthew Desmond. Doors will open at 5:45 p.m. and seating will be on a first come, first serve basis. A book signing will follow the program. Submit a question for the author here. For those unable to attend the event, a playback of the livestream has been provided by MSU Alumni. The password is oboc2019. 

MSU Fall Convocation featuring Matthew Desmond
Monday, Aug. 26; 9 a.m.
Jack Breslin Student Events Center, 534 Birch Road
Author Matthew Desmond will address MSU's incoming class at the MSU Fall Convocation. This event is open to the general public. 

Student Q&A with Matthew Desmond
Monday, Aug. 26; 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center at MSU (Auditorium), 219 S. Harrison Road
Author Matthew Desmond will answer pre-submitted questions from students. A submission form for questions will be posted soon! This event is open to all MSU students. Submit a question for the author here.

Other OBOC Events 

Books on Tap Book Club featuring "Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City"
Tuesday, Aug. 13; 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Jimmy's Pub, 16830 Chandler Road
The East Lansing Public Library's Books on Tap Book Club will be discussing "Evicted" up at Jimmy's Pub. The Book Club combines books, food, drinks and good conversation together in a laid-back atmosphere. Anyone is welcome to join the conversation!

OBOC Writing Workshops with MSU Professor Anita Skeen
Sept. 3, 10, 17; 4-6 p.m. or 7-9 p.m.
East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road
Community members are invited to participate in one of two writing workshops taught by MSU Residential College in the Arts and Humanities Professor Anita Skeen. The workshops are free, but registration is required. Registration opens Aug. 1 at www.elpl.org. 

Movie & Presentation
Thursday, Sept. 5; 6:30-9 p.m.
East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road
Community members are invited to watch "The Public" (PG-13) at the library. Before the movie, ELPL Director Kristin Shelley will share current information on the intersection of public libraries and housing insecurity.

Home and Hope Writing Workshop with Lansing-Area Poet Laureate Laura Apol
Saturday, Sept. 21; 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Allen Neighborhood Center, 1611 E. Kalamazoo St., Lansing
In this day-long writing workshop tailored for women who have experienced housing insecurity, participants will think about Home and Hope. All ages and writing abilities are welcome and light snacks and lunch will be provided. Registration is required and space is limited. To encourage additional access to these meaningful programs, please do not register for both Anita Skeen's workshop and Laura Apol's workshop.

Community Conversations: Evicted
Monday, Sept. 23; 6-7:30 p.m.
MSU Main Library, Green Room (4 West)
Matthew Desmond’s Pulitzer-Prize winning book is a powerful account of the challenges faced by eight Milwaukee families in their struggle to maintain a roof over their heads. What is the meaning of home? What are the root causes of displacement? How does structural racism shape economic inequality? Join MSU Citizen Scholars, students, faculty, staff and the broader community for a discussion of the key themes of "Evicted," and how they resonate with conditions across the nation and in the local region.

OBOC Writing Workshops - Participant Reading
Tuesday, Sept. 24; 7-9 p.m.
(SCENE) Metrospace, 110 Charles St. 
Community members are invited to (SCENE) Metrospace to hear participants of the OBOC Writing Workshops read excerpts from their work. Light refreshments will be provided. 

Movie & Panel Discussion 
Thursday, Sept. 26; 6:30-8:30 p.m.
East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road
Community members are invited to watch "Class Divide," an HBO documentary (TV-PG) at the library from 6:30-7:30 p.m. The movie will be followed by a panel discussion from 7:30-8:30 p.m.