Working Cities:

A Leadership Forum on the Working Poor

The Working Cities Forum is a partnership between the Community Service Society of New York (CSS) and Local 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) created to frame critical issues affecting the working poor in urban America during the 2008 presidential election cycle. An open invitation to participate in the forum series was sent to individuals once they formally declared their intention to seek the presidency by establishing a committee with the Federal Elections Commission.

The nonpartisan forum is an invitation-only event designed to stimulate a dialogue between civic leaders and presidential candidates. To facilitate a “conversation” on these important issues, a journalist moderates each forum and an opportunity is provided for the audience to question the candidate. To better encourage an open and frank conversation, the media is not allowed to attend the forum, but an opportunity to question the candidate is made available to journalists immediately upon the conclusion of the event. 

The full video of each Working Cities Forum is available on the CSS website. Upon completion of the series, a transcript of all of the conversations will be available. The public is invited to express their opinion on the positions of the candidates, offer their thoughts on the issue of poverty in urban America, or share their own personal experiences on the CSS Blog – Turnstile.

The Community Service Society of New York (CSS) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization that does not endorse candidates for public office.

July 25, 2007 - U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL)

Event Video

Photos from the event

April 23, 2007 - U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY)

Event Video

Photos from the event

Audio Clips from the Event

• CSS President David R. Jones raises the issue of young people and the labor market to Senator Clinton. (MP3; 2.5MB)
• Fortune Society President JoAnne Page asks Senator Clinton about her views on prisoner reentry. (MP3; 3MB)
• STRIVE's Rob Carmona seeks Senator Clinton's views on Black male joblessness. (MP3; 2.5MB)

Other Resources

• NY1 "Inside City Hall" video clip (WMV; streaming)
• WNBC-TV news video clip (WMV; streaming)

February 27, 2007 - Former U.S. Senator John Edwards

Event Video

Photos from the event

Other Resources

• New York Times "The Caucus" blog
• New York Daily News column
• NY1 News Video Clip (stream; requires RealPlayer [free download])