At Waterloo Listens’ first General Assembly of 2025, D’Andre Braddix, Ed.D., of St. Louis Community College, delivered a compelling talk on privilege and power, exploring how they shape social and economic disparities. The slides for Dr. Braddix's talk are available for download (PDF, 0.7MB).
Challenging common misconceptions, Dr. Braddix emphasized that privilege isn’t something to apologize for—nor does it guarantee an easy life. He focused, though, on how privilege often goes unnoticed by those who benefit from it, influencing opportunities in ways they may not recognize.
He also shed light on the consequences of lacking privilege, particularly for marginalized communities. From barriers in education and career advancement to difficulties in securing home ownership, these disparities can have lasting impacts on the lives of people without privilege. Importantly, he offered strategies to help bridge these gaps and foster a more equitable society.
The session concluded with an engaging Q&A, where 24 attendees enjoyed thoughtful discussion, deepened their understanding, and shared personal insights.
Dr. D’Andre Braddix is the chief engagement officer at St. Louis Community College, where he is responsible for advancing STLCC’s mission, vision, and values through strategic engagement within the College and broader community.