By Maureen Post Special to OnMilwaukee.com Published Mar 09, 2009 at 10:44 AM

Jonathan Kozol may very well be one of the most influential contemporary writers on social justice, urban education and educational reform.

Author of "Amazing Grace," "Death at an Early Age," "The Shame of the Nation" and "Savage Inequalities," Kozol has spent decades researching and observing the realities of getting an inner city education and the need for school equality.

As part of the "Distinguished Lecture Series," Kozol comes to UWM this evening to speak on "Public Education, Poverty, Race and Segregation."

In 2005, Kozol's research brought him back to Milwaukee. As part of a 2005 Harper's magazine article, Kozol examined the "Still Separate, Still Unequal" nature of Milwaukee's educational system. His research in Milwaukee corroborated results around the country; reaffirming that "schools are no less segregated now; while thousands of other schools around the country that had been integrated either voluntarily or by the force of law have been rapidly re-segregating."

See Kozol this evening at UWM's Union Wisconsin Room starting at 7:30 p.m. UWM students can get free tickets in advance at the UWM Bookstore.

Maureen Post Special to OnMilwaukee.com

OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Maureen Post grew up in Wauwatosa. A lover of international and urban culture, Maureen received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

After living on the east side of Madison for several years, Maureen returned to Milwaukee in 2006.

After a brief stint of travel, Maureen joined OnMilwaukee.com as the city’s oldest intern and has been hooked ever since. Combining her three key infatuations, Milwaukee’s great music, incredible food and inspiring art (and yes, in that order), Maureen’s job just about fits her perfectly.

Residing in Bay View, Maureen vehemently believes the city can become fresh and new with a simple move across town.