The Inaugural John Hagedorn Annual Lecture Featuring Dr. Avelardo Valdez, in Conversation with Dr. Kathryn Bocanegra
Summary
On October 7, 2026, the Great Cities Institute (GCI) at the University of Illinois Chicago hosted the Inaugural John Hagedorn Annual Lecture, featuring Dr. Avelardo Valdez in conversation with Dr. Kathryn Bocanegra of UIC’s Jane Addams College of Social Work. The event honored the life, scholarship, and enduring legacy of Dr. John Hagedorn, whose groundbreaking research on gangs, violence, urban inequality, and community life helped reshape scholarly and public understanding of marginalized urban communities.
The inaugural lecture featured a discussion of Dr. Valdez’s latest book, Homeboys Forever: The Lifetime Consequences of Gang Membership, published by the University of Chicago Press. Drawing on more than two decades of longitudinal research with Mexican American men in San Antonio, the conversation explored the complex relationships between gang involvement, structural inequality, institutional stigmatization, and the lasting consequences of social and economic marginalization. The discussion emphasized the importance of understanding gang membership within broader social, economic, and institutional contexts, while recognizing the humanity, resilience, and lived experiences of individuals whose lives have been shaped by these circumstances.
Dr. Valdez, professor emeritus at the University of Southern California and a distinguished scholar of substance use, violence, inequality, and marginalized communities, brought decades of community-engaged research to the conversation. Dr. Bocanegra, an assistant professor at UIC’s Jane Addams College of Social Work, contributed perspectives informed by her extensive work in community violence prevention, trauma recovery, criminal legal reform, and community-based research.
Bringing together scholars, students, practitioners, and community members, the event provided an opportunity to reflect on the continuing relevance of Dr. Hagedorn’s intellectual contributions and the importance of research that bridges academic inquiry, community experience, and public policy. The conversation underscored the need for approaches to violence and gang involvement that move beyond narrow individual explanations to consider the structural conditions, institutional barriers, and social inequalities that shape people’s lives.
As the first in a continuing annual lecture series, the event established a foundation for future conversations examining gang research, urban inequality, violence prevention, and the intersections of scholarship, policy, and community engagement. Through this initiative, the Great Cities Institute seeks to carry forward Dr. Hagedorn’s commitment to rigorous research, social justice, and a deeper understanding of communities too often overlooked or misunderstood.
Event Details
Date: Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Central Time)
Location: UIC Student Center East, Cardinal Room
750 S. Halsted Street
Chicago, IL 60607
About the John Hagedorn Memorial Fund
The UIC John Hagedorn Memorial Fund supports the continuation of research, programming, and public engagement that reflect Dr. Hagedorn’s lifelong commitment to scholarship, justice, and understanding marginalized communities. Contributions help sustain his legacy and inspire future generations of scholars, practitioners, and community leaders.
Support the Fund:
UIC John Hagedorn Memorial Fund
Related Resource:
Homeboys Forever: The Lifetime Consequences of Gang Membership – University of Chicago Press