Berkshire County’s “State of Race” to be Discussed in Second Community Forum09:02AM / Wednesday, November 11, 2009
LENOX, Mass. - BRIDGE and the Multicultural Task Force will host Berkshire County’s second public forum as a follow up to a series of community dialogues targeted at discussing the state of race and movement towards racial justice, educational, economic and social equity. The event will be held on Saturday, November 14th, 2009 from 3 pm – 6 pm at Shakespeare & Company, Lenox, MA.
Over 100 people attended the first community dialogue which was held on October 24th and helped to identify key issues surrounding race and diversity in Berkshire County. Subsequent breakout sessions addressed three major questions; where we are as a community; where we want to be; and what can we do as individuals to make a positive impact and enact change.
This final forum aims to bring the results and reports from these sessions back to the larger community to relate the true nature of racial affairs in the Berkshires. These findings will then be compiled into a report with proposed action items to be presented to superintendents, law enforcement officials, hospital administrators, members of the judicial system, policymakers, etc.
The Multicultural Task Force was developed by Gwendolyn Hampton VanSant the Executive Director of BRIDGE in conjunction with Amy Albert, a Conciliation Specialist for the U.S. Department of Justice in response to a local need for community talks on racial issues. The Task Force is made up of local community leaders from many sectors including Chiefs of Police, School Superintendents, Church clergy, and Executive Directors of human service agencies.
For more information or to register to attend the event, please contact BRIDGE at 413-274-1001. |
