WS Chronicle

SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

The Winston-Salem Urban League announces Black & Blue, Community-Police Town Halls. The three town-hall series is designed to allow members of the community, community leaders and the police department to channel frustration into a constructive solution-oriented dialogue.

The first town hall is scheduled for 6 p.m., today, Thursday, July 28, at the Winston-Salem Urban League, 201 W. 5th St. It will be an opportunity for the community to present concerns and solutions to challenges that harm healthy relationships between police and communities of color.

The event will be led by Dr. Kimya Dennis, a criminologist and sociologist and assistant professor from Salem College; the Rev. Willard Bass, executive director of the Institute for Dismantling Racism; and James Perry, president and CEO of the Winston-Salem Urban League.

Registration is encouraged but not required.

Go to https://www.eventbrite.co m/e/black-blue-town-hall-1-tickets-26695365557 to register.

The second town hall is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Thursday, August 18, also at the Winston-Salem Urban League. It will present solutions to the challenges raised at the first town hall and will be led by the same team.

Go to https://www.eventbrite.co m/e/black-blue-town-hall-2-tickets-26695376590 to register.

The third town hall will be held in mid-fall on a date to be announced. It will feature a keynote by Dr. Jennifer Eberhardt. Eberhardt, is a Stanford University professor who was awarded a 2014 MacArthur fellowship for her study of the of racial biases in criminal justice systems.

The series is supported by several collaborating organizations and supporters including: Black Chamber of Commerce, Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce, Institute for Dismantling Racism N.A.A.C.P., Winston-Salem Police Department and Winston-Salem Urban League Young Professionals.

Funding support has been provided by the United Way of Forsyth County, Winston-Salem Foundation and Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation.

James Perry remarked, “Resolving tensions between police and the African-American community is of the utmost importance. African-Americans residents in Winston-Salem seek a trusting relationship with police. And the Winston-Salem police department is committed to protect and serve. I am confident that through constructive dialogue, we can overcome challenges and prevent the atrocities that have afflicted Baton Rouge, Dallas, St. Paul, Ferguson, Chicago, New York and countless other cities.”