ZIP Code Matters
Screening + Q&A

A person’s ZIP code has been shown to have a greater impact on health and well-being than their genetic code, affecting access to education, transportation, and wealth. How is this possible? The provocative documentary ZIP Code Matters boldly asks the question and gets profound and insightful answers from some of the nation’s leading policymakers, nonprofit executives, public health officials and social justice activists. 

Join the documentary’s writer and director, Sena Mourad Friedman, Davon Russell, President of the Bronx’s Women’s Housing and Economic Development Corporation (WHEDco), and journalist and editor, Jeanmarie Evelly for a community discussion following the film screening.

Bios:

Sena Mourad Friedman, a civil rights advocate, formerly served as V.P. at the Fair Housing Center, directing the acclaimed documentary Zip Code Matters to expose systemic housing discrimination. Based in Toledo, she is currently a consultant; she chairs the Home for Everyone CoC Board, serves on the Lucas County Mental Health Recovery Services Board, and is a member of the Toledo NAACP, where she leads the Housing Committee. Recognized with prestigious awards such as the Ohio Leadership Award, The Walter P. Reuther Community Service Award, and the Jiminy Cricket Environmental Award from Disney for her commitment to the environment, Sena's impact on Union Memorial Park was acknowledged with the CityScape award in 2001. 

Davon Russell is a lifelong educator and mentor. Prior to becoming WHEDco’s President in 2017, Davon had long combined his love for the arts with support, guidance, mentoring and educating for youth. He began his career at WHEDco in 1997 and steadily rose through the organization over 20 years, serving as Executive Vice President since 2010. Under Davon’s leadership, WHEDco’s youth programs have helped tens of thousands of young people build their skills, develop their creative and innovative potential and become leaders. Davon is the co-founder and Board Chair of the South Bronx Early College Academy Charter School and serves on the Boards of Bronx Lacrosse and DreamYard. He is a Captain in the founding coalition of the Bronx Community Relief Effort.

Jeanmarie Evelly was named City Limits' Executive Editor in February 2021. Prior to that, she served as their youth program manager/reporter, deputy editor and managing editor. She came to City Limits as a veteran metro reporter, having served as a reporter/producer at DNAinfo.com  New York covering Astoria and Long Island City. She spent several years reporting for community newspapers in the Bronx, including the award-winning Norwood News. She holds a B.A. in English from SUNY New Paltz, a master’s degree from the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism and an MFA in poetry from CUNY Queens College.

 Location: BDC, 614 Courtlandt Ave, Bronx, NY 10451