The first of monthly teach-in programs by the Southwest Washington Equity Coalition is set to begin in March.
Called “Advancing Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: Awareness, Action and Change,” the program will bring together community members, local leaders and elected officials to raise awareness of racial equity, diversity and inclusion opportunities in Southwest Washington.
The first program, to be held virtually on Zoom, begins at 10:30 a.m. March 19 with “A Message of Resilience” featuring a keynote from Rosalie Fish, a young adult member of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe.
It will also include a land acknowledgement led by Tanna Engdahl, a member of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, and comments from Clark College President Karin Edwards.
Cost is $25, and tickets can be purchased at the Southwest Washington Equity Coalition website https://swecwa.org/teach_in. Register by March 12 to receive a 5 percent discount when using the code EQUITY. Group rates and series bundles are also available. Scholarships are available for students and those in need.
The series will continue one Friday every month through February 2022 and feature talks from community champions in the areas of racial justice, health, public safety, food sovereignty, and housing and homelessness.
Each 90-minute session focuses on local issues with the goal of creating awareness, promoting action and defining measurable change.
Future topics include: advancing equity in the workplace (April); equitable decision-making (May); community solutions to policing (June); racism as a public health crisis (July); LGBTQIA+ communities (August); immigrant mental health (September); food sovereignty (October); tribal communities (November); housing, homelessness and gentrification (December); authentic community engagement (January 2022); closing teach-In (February 2022).
