City of Dallas presents Part Three: Black Lives Matter Community Conversation on Resilience

City of Dallas presents Part Three: Black Lives Matter Community Conversation on Resilience

As systemic racism continues to take its place in the world through structural systems built to negatively impact communities of color in unimaginable ways, the City of Dallas Office of Equity (OOE) in partnership with Dallas Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) organization, decided to step up and speak out regarding racial equity, justice and resilience.

“I am proud of the effort City of Dallas has invested in ensuring important conversations like these take place in and for our communities,” said Dallas City Manager T.C. Broadnax. “Discussions centered around the solutions for racial equity, justice and resilience is how we move the community forward. We will continue to prioritize equity and resilience in our fight to end systemic racism.”

Part one of the three-part series, moderated by Jerry Hawkins, Executive Director of Dallas (TRHT) covered the topic of racial equity. The Panelists included a mix of City and community representatives: Council Member Casey Thomas, Rolando Blackman – Community Advocate and Former Dallas Mavericks Player, Dr. Lindsey Wilson – Interim Equity Officer, and Amber Sims – Director of Regional Impact at Leadership for Educational Equity and the Co-Founder of Young Leaders Strong City. The Panelists spent time discussing historic contexts, the City’s equity efforts, and answering participants’ questions.

Part two of the Black Lives Matter three-part virtual event was hosted on Thursday, July 2. This session’s topic covered justice. Event two was moderated by Cheryl Brown Wattley – Professor of Law and Director of Experiential Education at UNT Dallas and included four Panelists: Tonya McClary – Police Oversight Monitor, City of Dallas, Dr. Pamela Grayson – Director-Collective Activism, Sara Mokuria – Co-Founder-Mothers Against Police Brutality, and Jesuorobo Enobakhare – Chairman, Dallas Community Police Oversight Board.

The final session of the Black Lives Matter three-part virtual event will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 9. This session’s topic will cover resilience, moderated by Lady Jade – National Radio Personality. Panelists include: T.C. Broadnax- City Manager, City of Dallas, Dr. Njoki McElroy – Professor Emeritus at SMU, Playwright, Storyteller and Performer, Bemnet Meshesha, MSW – Director of Community Affairs, State Fair of Texas, Dr. Michael Sorrell – President, Paul Quinn College, and Dr. Kelvin Baggett, COVID-19 Health and Healthcare Access Czar.

Dallas Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation  organization was launched to develop plans for transformational change that address the impact of racism. Currently, TRHT is based in 14 communities across the nation.

The Office of Equity works to shape a city government and Dallas where everyone thrives. The Office of Equity is focused on advancing equity within city government.

How to join Part 3 – Community Conversations on Resilience:

WebEx: bit.ly/2Bk0Swk

Event line: +1 (408) 418-9388

Access code: 146 901 0144

 

Written by Tenisha L. Bogan

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