Worcester’s Community Discussions on Race Begin on Monday

Thursday, May 14, 2015

GoLocalWorcester News Team

A seven week series of community dialogues on race hosted by Worcester's City Manager's Coalition Against Bias & Hate will begin next Monday, May 18, at the YWCA in downtown Worcester.

According to the city of Worcester, the purpose of the sessions to give the Worcester community the chance to share information, personal stories and experiences, give honest perspectivs and clear viewpoints, and to come up with solutions to concerns of the city's increasingly diverse city.

The sessions will be facilitated by the United States Department of Justice, Community Relations Services, with the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office. CRS has a proven track record facilitating community meetings.

”It is important to both the City Manager and myself that we can come together as a community and discuss difficult topics like race here in Worcester,” said Mayor Joseph M. Petty. “By bringing in the DOJ and AG’s office, it allows our City’s elected officials and administration to lean into the discussions and truly participate.”

“Too often, we talk past each other on issues of race and diversity. This series of dialogues will give the community an opportunity to do the hard work of listening to each other,” said City Manager Edward Augustus. “I’m grateful to the Department of Justice and the Attorney General’s Office for their support and expertise, and I encourage everyone in the community to join with me in participating in these important discussions.”

All seven discussions run from 6 PM to 8 PM. A light meal will be provided from 5 PM to 6 PM. Here is a complete schedule:

May 18th - Overview of process, setting stage for dialogue - YWCA of Central Massachusetts, 1 Salem Square
June 1st - Representative Government - Quinsigamond Community College, 670 W Boylston St.
June 8th - Public Safety - Belmont AME Zion Church, 55 Illinois St.
June 15th - Youth and Education - Worcester Technical High School, 1 Skyline Dr.
June 22nd - Media and Online Social Networks - Worcester Jewish Community Center, 633 Salisbury St.
June 29th - Economic Development - Friendly House, 36 Wall St.
July 13th - Report back and next steps - City Hall, 455 Main St.

Participants are encouraged to RSVP online at http://conta.cc/1EtqN9L or www.worcesterma.gov or by phone 508-799-1175. Registration is not required, but will help planning for food, childcare and other accommodations for participants. Participants are asked to kindly RSVP by 5pm the Friday before each session. CART services for deaf and hard of hearing individuals will be available.