Wednesday, June 16, 2021
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Buffalo Bayou Brewing Co
2101 Summer Street
Houston, TX 77007
Cities have historically been the gateway to America and our nation’s promise of opportunity and upward mobility. Today, however, many of our nation’s highest profile cities have become ‘luxury products’ affordable only for the highest income earners. Houston and other ‘opportunity cities’ have historically bucked this trend by embracing policies that lower the cost of living, create jobs, and enhance the quality of life for all. But a continuation of this success is under threat from an array of proposed ‘command and control’ policies that will erode our city’s dynamism. Houston’s success is no accident, and it’s future is worth fighting for.
Join the Liberty Leadership Council and the Urban Reform Institute for a vibrant discussion of Houston’s market-centered, ‘people-oriented’ approach to urban policy, planning, and development.
We’ll talk zoning, transportation, infrastructure, housing, and everything in between—all while enjoying views of downtown and toasting the Bayou City.
Panel Participants:
- Charles Blain (moderator): President of Urban Reform Institute. Charles has been published in the WSJ, Forbes, and the Houston Chronicle. He is also a Fox 26 Houston (KRIV) regular political commentator.
- Elizabeth Castro Gray: Elizabeth co-founded Lamppost Capital Management to invest in and manage residential Real Estate focusing on the acquisition and rehabilitation of distressed properties with the goal of providing clean, affordable, safe housing for residents, and contributing to the improvement of the surrounding community.
- Tory Gattis: Senior Fellow at Urban Reform Institute. Tory is a noted urbanist and entrepreneur who has helped pioneer Opportunity Urbanism as a city philosophy focused on upward social mobility for all citizens as an alternative to the popular smart growth and new urbanism movements.
- Richard A. Johnson, Ed.D.: Director of the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Booker T. Washington Initiative. Richard heads up TPPF’s Booker T. Washington Initiative that examines the effects of public policy on African American communities. As chief of staff for a Houston City Council member, he played a significant role in drafting and navigating policies related to public safety, public works and housing and community development.
High-level Program:
6:00-7:00pm – Cocktails/Appetizers
7:00-8:00pm – Panel Discussion with Q&A
Complimentary drinks and snacks will be served. RSVP is required to attend.