Benton leaders will participate in a virtual Dialogue on Race: Equity in Education, August 13th at 6:30 pm. The event will be livestreamed on Facebook.
The purpose of the dialogue is to gain insight and understanding into our own beliefs, and to come to a new understanding of the issue of race.
The dialogue will be livestreamed on the following Facebook pages:
- Common Ground Saline County: Peace, Justice and Unity for All – facebook.com/commongroundsalinecounty
- Robin Freeman – facebook.com/robin.freeman.182
- Benton Arkansas – Benton Proud – facebook.com/timeforbenton
The guiding question of the panel is “How do we ensure students and families of color know they belong here and that we’re in their corner?”
Panelists include:
- Dr. Mike Skelton, Superintendent, Benton School District
- Candace Johnson, Educator, Benton Junior High
- Dr. Andy Allison, Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services
- Tamiko Johnson, BSW
- Tamario & Tarek Beaugard, former students
- Yajaira Tapia, Parent
- Gabe Rhynes, Counselor, Howard Perrin Elementary
- Marcelles Nash, 11th Grade Student, Benton High School
- Benton Mayor Tom Farmer (invited)
The discussion will be facilitated by Benton resident Robin Freeman, Director of the University of Arkansas CURRENTS, and co-facilitated by Veronica Jackson, a consultant. The discussion will begin at 6:30 pm with panelists responding to questions they have previously received. Panelists will join by Zoom.
The dialogues are planned by members of the group “Common Ground Saline County: Peace, Justice and Unity for All,” which formed after hosting a peaceful racial justice demonstration on June 5th. The group also hosted a virtual town hall meeting on June 16th and July 30th.
In addition to dialogues, the group plans on hosting small group discussions based on the curriculum “Be the Bridge.” The community is invited to sign up for a small group by contacting Janet Dixon at [email protected] or 501-317-6449. The cost for participation is $10 and covers the cost of the book.
The Dialogue on Race is a forum designed to draw participants from as many parts of the community as possible to exchange information face-to-face, share personal stories and experiences, honestly express perspectives, clarify viewpoints, and develop solutions to community concerns. A final dialogue is scheduled August 27th at 6:30 pm and is titled “Our Beloved Community.” The group will submit lessons learned and a list of recommended changes to Mayor Farmer and community leaders once dialogues have concluded.