The Newtown Board of Education and C.H. Booth Library are hosting a community conversation titled, “Race: More Than a Conversation” via Zoom on Monday, February 7, from 6 to 7:30 pm. The event will center on issues and challenges concerning race in the school setting and community.

It will feature seven community leaders as panelists: Newtown Public Schools Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator Wesley A. Johnson II; First Selectman Dan Rosenthal; Board of Education Chair Deborra Zukowski; Editor John Voket of The Newtown Bee; C.H. Booth Library Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Special Committee Chair Dana Flynn; Newtown Savings Bank President Ken Weinstein; and Newtown Congregational Church Reverend Kristen M.E. Provost Switzer.

Panelists will respond to questions from moderators as well as take questions from the audience.

The session will have two facilitators using a model steeped in respect for the audience and the panelists. Former Commissioner of Education Dr George A. Coleman, and Newtown Public Schools Project Challenge Teacher of the Gifted Dr Sherry Earle, PhD, will use techniques that expand the range of choices available for solving problems by broadening thinking and helping participants articulate issues.

The event is free, but registration is required. People can register on the library’s event calendar or by using this specific website https://bit.ly/3rPu6sZ.

Of the series, Rev Provost Switzer said, “These conversations on anti-racism are so important because conversations that bridge intersectional divides are what will save our communities from the dangers of racism and white supremacy. Hearing one another’s stories and experiences that cross and intersect with age, gender identity, sexual orientation, family structure, socioeconomic status, job sector, faith beliefs, and more, make adverse experiences that we would otherwise not understand come to life for each of us and help us to realize that racism hurts each of us.”

Attendees will have the opportunity to talk about their aspirations for Newtown and discuss challenges that concern them.

Library Director Douglas Lord said, “Listening to our community is my top priority, and one of the most important things the library can do. There is a huge demand for this, and this is a great opportunity for our residents to come together in a respectful space to share strategies and ideas to make our great town a better place to live for all.”

Future plans for the Community Conversations series include focusing on a wide range of social issues in Newtown. The community will have the opportunity to weigh in on important topics, such as education, youth opportunities, housing, business development, health and safety, environment, infrastructure, resilience, and more.

“I am eager to have these in person as soon as it is reasonably safe to do so given the public health situation,” said Lord. “The series will take a variety of forms that include large, moderated discussions as well as folksy talks more akin to neighbors visiting one another’s living rooms.”

The intent, said Johnson, is for the series of community conversations to be about more than leaving the room with a list of to-dos and ‘answers to all the questions.’ Rather, they are about discussing topics and issues in an inclusive and uninhibited environment with community representatives and stakeholders.