Sharon DEIC weighs co-sponsoring a 'Speak Out' forum and readies International Night

At its Jan. 8 meeting the Sharon Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee discussed several upcoming community events and proposals to broaden resident engagement.

Lauren Grasso, a committee member, described plans for International Night at the high school and said the event will be open to the public; the committee agreed to create a public flyer and brainstorm story-based questions for attendees. Jen Illuzzi, chair, briefed members on a conversation with organizers from the Sharon Pluralism Network about the 'Sharing Our Stories' project and the possibility of co-sponsoring a 'Speak Out' forum to help residents get to know one another through large- and small-group discussions.

Sayjal Menon outlined Black History Month programming: a Ruby Bridges event was moved into February to align with Black History Month, and the high school plans to host Black History trivia. Committee members discussed folding elements of the 'Speak Out' concept into International Night.

Sayjal also described The Dining Project, a community meal-sharing initiative, and Lauren noted a similar Sharon Interfaith event held in November. Members cautioned that town-sponsored events that rely on potluck-style food face safety and permitting constraints, which limit how food can be served at officially sponsored programs.

The committee made no formal decisions at the Jan. 8 meeting; members agreed to continue planning and to publicize International Night with a flyer. The potential 'Speak Out' co-sponsorship will be developed further with outreach to local organizations.