Editorial: Opportunity to Learn at Appalachian Race Summit

Charleston Gazette – On Nov. 10 and 11 Charleston will be the site of an important opportunity for anyone interested in the nation’s progress toward a more just, egalitarian and healthier future. That is when people will attend the “Summit on Race Matters in Appalachia.” Read

The event begins with a showing of “Cracking the Codes: Social Determinants of Racial Inequality,” a film by Shakti Butler, who says her work is intended to support anyone who wants to having meaningful, healing discussions about this important issue, whether among family or in classrooms, places of worship or workplaces. The film will be at 5 p.m. on Nov. 11 at the Culture Center with opportunities to discuss afterward.

On Nov. 11 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. the summit continues with more workshops and speakers at the Four Points Sheraton, 600 Kanawha Blvd. E. in Charleston. Speakers include:

• Gail Christopher, vice president for policy and senior advisor at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. She leads the America Healing initiative to promote racial healing and equity across the country.
• Mike Wenger, author of “My Black Family, My White Privilege.” Wenger, a white Jewish man from New York City, married an African-American woman from a poor, small segregated North Carolina town. He writes about the experience of his family.
• Dustin Washington, director of the Community Justice program with the American Friends Service Committee. He works on interrupting the school-to-prison pipeline for youth.