For more than 25 years, Everyday Democracy has worked with communities across the country to foster a healthy and vibrant democracy – one that is characterized by strong relationships across divides, racial equity, and widespread leadership and voice. Here are snapshots of just four of the hundreds of communities that have been positively transformed through their Dialogue to Change efforts.
Beth Broadway, President/CEO of InterFaith Works of Central New York, was selected as the winner of the 2018 Paul and Joyce Aicher Leadership in Democracy Award. Beth’s winning nomination was selected from 67 nominations of both individuals and organizations, in this second annual national contest, and as a result, $10,000 for her agency and an award statue was presented to Beth at a ceremony in Hartford, CT on December 6.
Criminal justice reform advocates are trying to spark a larger conversation regarding the role race and poverty play in experience with the justice system. In Hartford recently, a dialogue took place between lawyers, public officials, and community stakeholders, including formerly incarcerated individuals.
HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT. As people throughout the state and country lose faith that there is any resemblance of equity in our jail, prison, sentencing and overall justice systems, an action-driven collaborative in Connecticut is organizing a day of dialogue and deliberation, led by the national non-profit, Everyday Democracy. The collaborative includes: ACLU Smart Justice Connecticut; Capital Community College, Community Capacity Builders, Community Solutions, City of Hartford, the Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy, Katal Center for Health, Equity and Justice and Phoenix Association. Join Us Saturday, November 17th at noon (11am lunch) at the Chrysalis Center for a Discusssion and Dialogue with Peter Edelman. Registration is required.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-time-to-talk-poverty-criminal-justice-and-race-tickets-51466407410
There was a lot of recognition for the work being done to strengthen democracy at this October’s annual National Conference on Citizenship in Washington DC. One of the highlights of the event was the announcement of InterFaith Works El Hindi Center for Dialogue, Syracuse, NY as a 2018 recipient of the esteemed CIVVY award in the category of “local” organizations.
In late August, 2018, teams from 20 states participated in the first group of the Southern Rural Development Center's (SRDC) "Train the Trainers" program "Coming Together for Racial Understanding." The purpose of the initiative was to build capacity within the national Cooperative Extension Service to help communities engage in civil dialogues around racial equity. The training was designed to prepare participants to build capacity within their home institutions.
Central New York’s Interfaith Works’ El Hindi Center for Dialogue continually confronts “hot topics” in the community head on, with thoughtful, facilitated listening and sharing sessions that gather people together and lead to planning and action. From dialogues on Police Community Relations to Ending Racism to Youth Cultural Exchanges to conversations on Education Equity, the Center has been successfully building bridges of understanding throughout the community, and is a sought after source for institutions and initiatives seeking racial equity and equitable solutions to day-to-day challenges they may be facing.
Central New York’s Interfaith Works’ El Hindi Center for Dialogue continually confronts “hot topics” in the community head on, with thoughtful, facilitated listening and sharing sessions that gather people together and lead to planning and action. From dialogues on Police Community Relations to Ending Racism to Youth Cultural Exchanges to conversations on Education Equity, the Center has been successfully building bridges of understanding throughout the community, and is a sought after source for institutions and initiatives seeking racial equity and equitable solutions to day-to-day challenges they may be facing.
I recently watched a short video called “The Real Crime”, created by the Black Alliance for Just Immigration. The Black Alliance for Just Immigration was founded in 2006 in order to bring the racial and economic justice into the immigrant rights movement and to build unity between African Americans and immigrants of color. The video highlights policies and practices that have created racial disparities in the criminal justice system. It also shows the negative effect of immigration policy and mass criminalization of African Americans.
I recently watched a short video called “The Real Crime”, created by the Black Alliance for Just Immigration. The Black Alliance for Just Immigration was founded in 2006 in order to bring the racial and economic justice into the immigrant rights movement and to build unity between African Americans and immigrants of color. The video highlights policies and practices that have created racial disparities in the criminal justice system. It also shows the negative effect of immigration policy and mass criminalization of African Americans.
Our ultimate goal is to create positive community change that includes everyone, and we believe that our tools, advice, and resources will help foster that kind of change. Whether you’re grappling with a divisive community issue, or simply want to include residents’ voices in city government, Everyday Democracy's Dialogue to Change process, using a racial equity lens, can help.
