Matthew Desmond Visits Campus

Matthew Desmond (white man) sitting on a desk in front of a classroom talking with students in a social work class.
Matthew Desmond speaks to a social work class.

The Helen Bader School of Social Welfare hosted sociologist Dr. Matthew Desmond on April 30 for a deep dive into his book Poverty, by America. Desmond’s work explores the societal structures that perpetuate poverty and advocates for greater economic justice and equality. His book Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City, which took place in Milwaukee, won the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction in 2017.

Desmond attended Kristina Pekulik’s and Matt Steigerwald’s social work classes before speaking to a sold-out crowd at the UW-Milwaukee Student Union. Desmond spoke with students in Social Work 260, Case Management and Social Work, and Social Work 310, Social Work Practice I: Individuals and Families. He answered questions that covered topics ranging from housing inequity to taking care of one’s mental health.

The event was sponsored by Dr. Philip Blank who established the Beatrice Martin Kershner Social Justice Fund in memory of his wife.

A group photo of 15 students at the front of the classroom with their instructors and Matthew Desmond.
A group photo with Matthew Desmond and students in Social Work 260 and 310.
Matthew Desmond standing with donor Dr. Philip Blank (white man, senior citizen) and Dianna Dentino, who was the ASL interpreter for Desmond's presentation.
Philip Blank, Matthew Desmond and ASL interpreter Dianna Dentino
A sold-out crowd listens to Matthew Desmond speak in the UW-Milwaukee student union.
Matthew Desmond speaks to a sold-out crowd at the UWM Student Union.
Two social work instructors (white female and white male) stand next to Matthew Desmond for a group photo after class.
Kristina Pekulik, Matthew Desmond and Matt Steigerwald