Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia, a nonprofit fair housing enforcement, research, advocacy and policy organization working for equal access to housing for all people, is hosting a series of conversations about pressing housing issues in the state featuring experts in discussion with HOME directors.

The series kicks off at 12:15 p.m. Thursday, March 3, with “Combating Segregated Housing Patterns,” and Monica Jefferson, HOME’s interim president and chief executive officer; Bryan Moorefield, HOME’s director of policy and research; and attorney Thomas Wolf, who worked on the landmark case HOME v. Nationwide. During the hour-long discussion, they will talk about why segregated housing patterns exist today and what can be done to combat them.

The series will be held at the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia, 122 W. Leigh St. in Jackson Ward, where people can attend in person for $6, or can listen to the discussion virtually for free.

The $6 in-person ticket includes all day access to the Black History Museum, where people can view all exhibits, including “HOME & 50 Years of Fair Housing,” which explores the impact of fair housing work by the organization since its founding in 1971. The exhibit offers information on the events that led up to the federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 and highlights key victories in fair housing and desegregation in Virginia and across the nation.

Proof of COVID-19 vaccination, a photo ID and a mask are required for entry into the museum.

The series is part of HOME’s celebration of its 50th anniversary.

Additional series topics and dates:

• Thursday, March 17, 12:15 p.m., “The Black/White Homeownership Gap,” featuring former HOME client Joi E Boykins, Ms. Jefferson and Brenda Hicks,

HOME’s director of counseling and education, on racial inequalities in homeownership rates, how it impacts long-term wealth building and HOME’s efforts to close the gap.

• Thursday, March 31, 12:15 p.m., “Virginia’s Unstable Housing Environment,” featuring Dr. Kathryn Howell of RVA Eviction Lab, Ms. Jefferson and Michelle Jones, HOME’s director of housing stability, on Virginia’s eviction crisis.

• Thursday, April 14, 12:15 p.m., “The Role of Fair Housing Organizations,” featuring Kent Willis, former HOME executive director, Ms. Jefferson and Shivaughn Ferguson, HOME’s director of fair housing, on the importance of fair housing organizations in today’s climate.

Tickets for both in-person and virtual attendance must be reserved at https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/ conversation-series-at-the-black-history-museum-147009.

Details: HOME of Virginia at https://homeofva.org/50th/ or (804) 354-0641, or Black History Museum at (804) 780-9093.