Stow-Munroe Falls DEI group hosting Juneteenth community conversation
The Stow-Munroe Falls Diversity Equity and Inclusion Initiative is hosting a community conversation on June 19 — Juneteenth — at the Silver Springs Lodge, 5027 Stow Road.
The 6 p.m to 7:30 p.m. event is free and open to all, but people are encouraged to register online.
Local historians and nonprofit leaders will speak about the history of Juneteenth nationally and in local communities.
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Tara Pringle Jefferson, co-chair of SMF DEI, said that Mayor John Pribonic is scheduled to speak. Stow resident and Maple Heights history teacher Corwyn Collier will present about the importance and history of Juneteenth.
Steve Arrington of the Akron AIDS Collaborative also will share his story of activism during the past three decades.
"After our speakers, we will break for small group discussions where we’re discussing the community’s vision for Stow-Munroe Falls — where we are succeeding and where we might be falling short in terms of our focus on diversity, equity and inclusion," Jackson said in an email.
According to the event page, the community conversation follows the model of the Akron Community Foundation's "On The Table" program.
Improving the community begins with residents, Jefferson wrote.
"We want their voices to be heard and their ideas gathered We hope this gives us some momentum moving forward, so we can continue to be about the work of making Stow-Munroe Falls a more inclusive and welcoming community for all."
Contact reporter Derek Kreider at DKreider@Gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Stow Munroe-Falls hosting Juneteenth community conversation
