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Needham Human Rights Committee schedules Community Conversations on Race for May 22; will present DEI statement to Select Board May 13
Summary
The Needham Human Rights Committee announced a May 22 Community Conversations on Race event at the Library Community Room, plans to present a diversity, equity and inclusion statement to the Select Board on May 13, and highlighted Race Amity Day and other June observances.
The Needham Human Rights Committee said it will hold a Community Conversations on Race program Thursday, May 22, at the Library Community Room, with doors and refreshments at 6:30 p.m. and a facilitated program from 6:45 to 8:45 p.m.
Committee member Cynthia (last name not specified) said the program will be facilitated by Gary Bailey of Simmons College and will include small-group interaction; organizers will encourage, but not require, registration via a QR code. “Please join us for a continuation of the workshop series that focuses on race and racism, history, shared language, self reflection, outstanding, and equity,” Cynthia read from the materials shared with the committee.
The committee also reported it will present a draft diversity, equity and inclusion statement to the Select Board on May 13. Committee members said they had received mostly positive feedback on the statement and that two committee members planned to attend the Select Board meeting to deliver the committee’s work.
Committee members described related events this spring and summer. Race Amity Day will be observed Sunday, June 8, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Avery Field in Needham Heights; organizers plan to dedicate a plaque marking Richard Frey’s gift to the town in support of youth recreation at Avery Field. The Needham Diversity Initiative (NDI), the Needham Human Rights Committee, Green Needham, the Needham History Center & Museum and the Select Board are listed as co-sponsors.
Committee members discussed Juneteenth and Needham Pride activities in June and said they would follow up to confirm town-sponsored plans and dates. The committee also discussed outreach to high-school students for events, including working with student media and student groups to recruit attendees and presenters.
Committee members asked volunteers to help with logistics such as refreshments and outreach; Tina and Carrie volunteered to coordinate food for the May 22 event. The committee emphasized that registration is encouraged to estimate food, but that registration would not be enforced as a requirement for entry.
The committee asked staff to circulate flyers and registration links as soon as they are available and to coordinate school outreach to recruit student participants.
The discussion ended with members agreeing to continue organizing outreach and to report back at the next meeting.
