City’s Human Relations Department hosts annual Race Relations Forum
The Race Relations Forum has become a tradition in the city as students have been coming together to have serious conversations about race, culture, and diversity since 2015.
Dr. Karen Roseboro announces the establishment of Office of Equity within WS/FCS
Last week two dozen local high school students came together to discuss issues of race within their schools and community during the annual Race Relations Forum hosted by the City of Winston-Salem’s Human Relations Department and moderated by representatives from the Youth Council.
The event, held at the Central Public Library, has become a tradition in the city as students have been coming together to have serious conversations about race, culture, and diversity since 2015.
This year the topic of interracial friendships gave students the opportunity to discuss peer relationships, perceptions in the classroom, stereotypes, and bridging the racial gap in America.
Following the event held on Wednesday, Sept. 25, several attendees applauded the students for having the courage to go on stage and talk about such a sensitive topic. Dr. Karen Roseboro, instructional superintendent for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, also praised the students for the willingness to share their thoughts and feelings.
Roseboro said she was excited to be among some of the best and brightest students in the district. She also discussed the district work to establish an Office of Equity.
“This is a very special night for me in particular because I once sat where you sat,” Roseboro told the students.
“I am a product of the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School system and I served on the first Superintendent Student Council under Dr. Martin and I also participated in a number of human relations activities as a student,” she said. “It’s a remarkable time in education in Winston-Salem Forsyth because we will be opening our first Office of Equity at the district level and it is for our students.”
Roseboro said they saw the need and heard the cry from students who were experiencing issues with race and inclusion. She said, “We believe that within this school district, that all of our students deserve to achieve and excel despite their zip codes.
“No matter what end of the county they live in or no matter what walks of life they are currently in, where you start may not be where you end up.”
The High School Race Relations Forum can be viewed in its entirety on the City of Winston-Salem YouTube channel. For more information on the forum or the Human Relations Department, visit the city’s website.
