Dr. Carla L. James Lecture Series - Roanoke Higher Education Center

About this series:

The Dr. Carla L. James Lecture Series is an annual forum dedicated to addressing critical social issues. Named in honor of Dr. Carla L. James, this series recognizes her longstanding commitment to the Roanoke Higher Education Center (RHEC) and her dedication to expanding access to education and community resources.

Throughout her tenure, Dr. James has played a pivotal role in strengthening RHEC’s mission, ensuring that individuals from all backgrounds have opportunities to learn, grow, and succeed. This lecture series seeks to continue her legacy by fostering thoughtful discussions, inspiring action, and strengthening community partnerships.

Past sessions:

Aging with Dignity — Building Support Systems for the Elderly

Date/Time: December 2, 2025 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Location: Dumas Center, 108 Henry Street NW, Roanoke, VA 24016

Facilitator: Eric Beasley, Senior Regional Director of Business Development at InnovAge PACE

Focus: Understanding the growing needs of the elderly population, identifying gaps in healthcare and social services, and exploring integrated care models and community-based support systems.

A Future for Every Child — Addressing the Foster Care Crisis

Date/Time: May 13, 2025 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Location: Roanoke Higher Education Center, Room 409

Facilitator: Renee Brown, LPC, CSAC, President and CEO of DePaul Community Resources

Focus: Discussing the current state of foster care, identifying barriers to stable placements, and exploring collaborative approaches to support foster families and youth aging out of the system.

Nourishing Our Community — Addressing Food Insecurity

Date/Time: September 2, 2025 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Location: Roanoke Higher Education Center, Room 409

Facilitator: Pam Irvine, President & CEO of Feeding Southwest Virginia

Focus: Examining the root causes of food insecurity, identifying barriers to food access, and discussing collaborative strategies to improve nutrition, food distribution, and community-based solutions.