On Thursday, Nov. 17, from 1:30-2:30 p.m., La Casita will host "Seymourofus Cross-Generational Conversation," a community discussion led by Seymour School third-graders on issues of cultural memory, spaces of belonging, and active participation in Syracuse. And from 2:30-4 p.m., community conversation will take place about places of belonging and the future for young people. This is also open to the public.

The discussion is part of La Casita's series "Community Conversations: Spaces of Belonging and Civic Participation."

Professionals to be interviewed include:

• Luis J. Castro: family medicine, Westside Family Health
• Jaime Alicea: deputy superintendent, Syracuse City School District
• Ellen Blalock: Post-Standard photojournalist
• Marcia Rutledge: child-psychologist and jazz musician
• Mauricio Casares: engineer and researcher
• Paul Nojaim: community business leader
• Roberto Perez: dancer, community activist
• Oscar Garces: visual artist, career specialist
• Rachel Gazdick: executive director of Say Yes to Education
• Stephanie Costner: program manager, Collegiate Preparatory Academy
• Brian Bromka: founder and director, La Familia de la Salsa & Salsa Son Timba, real estate agent
• Jonathan C. Ulmer: air traffic controller for FAA Studied Aeronautical Science
• The Honorable Kate Rosenthal: Syracuse city judge
• Nathan Strand: former project coordinator for USAID Funded Public Health Projects – MPA, International Relations
• Brandon Ellis: artistic director of Dance Theater of Syracuse
• Christie Bravos: convention services director of the Syracuse Convention and Services Bureau

Seymourofus is a whole-school exploratory learning initiative that places emphasis on creativity, communication, critical thinking and collaboration skills. Community teaching artists, school personnel, students and families work together to integrate instruction with relevant learning and school improvement planning.

La Casita Cultural Center at the Lincoln Building, 109 Otisco St., in downtown Syracuse, is the only Latino/a cultural center in the region, and is administered by The College of Arts and Sciences for the campus community.

La Casita’s mission is to serve as the bridge between the Latina/o communities of Syracuse and Central New York and Syracuse University’s faculty, students and staff. By offering the space and resources necessary for the development of collaborative, ongoing projects, La Casita hopes to enhance local communities’ capacity for social change and civic participation in the region.

For more information, email La Casita at lacasita@syr.edu, or visit: http://www.facebook.com/pages/La-Casita-Cultural-Center-Project/57509616481?sk=wall.