Working-Class Cultural Capital:

Webinar with Sociologist Paul Dean

How can a working-class background make you more successful as a professional? Paul Dean has answers, but we want to hear yours too.

About The Event

Jack Metzgar and Betsy Leondar-Wright from the Working-Class Studies Association’s Talking Class series will facilitate a discussion with sociologist Paul Dean, who makes a bold claim that growing up working-class actually gives professional employees an edge.

Why does he say that “working-class cultural capital” is a real thing? He’ll present, we’ll draw him out, and we’ll invite you to share your own experiences and ideas about the impact of a working-class background.

Paul is a sociology professor at Ohio Wesleyan University, and a proud “straddler” (professional with working-class roots) who thinks his background strengthens his work with first-gen and low-income students. His forthcoming book, titled Class Cultures and Social Mobility: The Hidden Strengths of Upwardly Mobile First-Gen Graduates, is based on several years of research into working-class-background professionals.

Free online on Zoom – www.tinyurl.com/TalkingClassWebinar – Hope to see you there!

Event Details

Meet Our Host and Speakers

Betsy laughing in front of Class Action banner

Betsy Leondar-Wright

Talking Class Webinar Facilitator

HOST

Jack Metzgar

Talking Class Webinar Facilitator

HOST

Paul Dean

Sociologist

SPEAKER

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact organizers Betsy Leondar-Wright, betsy@classmatters.org, and Jack Metzgar, jackmetz1@comcast.net.

Yes! In November, Dorian Warren, president of Community Change, will talk about strategy for building a working-class-led movement given the election results. On January 23, Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove will talk about his book, co-authored with Rev. Barber of the Poor People’s Campaign, “White Poverty.”

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