The First Friday Forum speaker series provides lectures of importance and interest to help inform the entire community about this ever-changing world.
The First Friday Forum speaker series provides lectures of importance and interest to the entire community about this ever-changing world sponsored by Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church. Attend the programs that interest you with no registration, subscription or entry fee.
The programs are offered at 1:30 p.m. on the first Friday January through June and are available simultaneously on the Lafayette campus and via streaming. To watch live click on WATCH at the top of this page. When available, program recordings are posted in the Archive below.
On January 3, Jon Haveman, Economist, Educator and Author, focused his presentation on what economists know to be true about the societal and economic implications of immigration associated with economic growth, the labor force including unemployment, wages, crime, and government expenses vs revenues. A recording of his talk is in the archived below and his slides are available here.
Program – February 7:
Thomas Boyce, Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics and Psychiatry at UCSF will speak on ”Unlocking the Science of Sensitive Kids.” Why do siblings differ even though they share the same parents and environment? Why do some children appear to flourish despite facing serious obstacles, yet others wither when confronted with stress? Boyce will review some of his major findings of how nature, nurture, and the timing of how genetic and environmental influences interweave during childhood to form the people we become as adults. This is an important topic for parents, grandparents, teachers, and all those who engage with children.
Remaining 2025 Schedule:
March 7 – Robert Todd, Innovator, Tech Executive, and Lecturer on, “The Dawn of the Artificial Intelligence Age”. Todd has built innovative teams and products at McKinsey & Co, LinkedIn and San Francisco State University. He has taught a very popular AI course with Berkeley Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.
April 4 – Betty Ann Hagenau, Director and Founder of Freedom Insight on “The Story of Human Trafficking in the Bay Area.” Hagenau, who spent 18 months interviewing former human traffickers, will discuss the suffering, challenges, and successes in addressing this important local tragedy.
May 2 – Craig Clements, professor in the Wildfire Interdisciplinary Research Center SJSU on “What You Need to Know about Wildfires.” Clements initiated the fire research center in 2007. His insights on the structure of a wildfire help explain how they become so powerful they create their own weather.
June 6 – Danny Wan, Port of Oakland Executive Director, “Port of Oakland: Leading Innovative Climate Change and Air Quality Initiatives.” The Port of Oakland generates vital economic activity, community benefits and environmental innovation. The Port oversees San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport, the Oakland Seaport, and nearly 20 miles of waterfront.
Contact Us:
To contact the First Friday Forum team or to subscribe to or be removed from the FFF email list, send an email to fff@lopc.org.
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