The Charleston Forum announced last month the details for the second annual event scheduled for June 21st at the Charleston Music Hall from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Born in honor of the victims of the 2015 Mother Emanuel AME Church shooting, and part of the official Emanuel 9 commemorative events, The Charleston Forum continues to be an open and honest dialogue on race and the ways in which our community can move forward together.
The 2018 Forum will include two panel discussions focused on disparities in education and economics. Speakers are encouraged to propose solutions in these areas, against the backdrop of the staggering statistics provided by the Racial Disparities Report released by the College of Charleston Race and Social Justice Initiative.
Members of the public are invited to submit questions by video at www.thecharlestonforum.com for the moderators and panelists to address.
“The Charleston Forum is proud to foster an open and honest discussion for our community to address pressing issues defined at least in part by race,” said Brian Duffy, The Charleston Forum's Committee Chair. “We think community involvement is essential to developing the best solutions, starting with responses from experts in the fields of education and economics. We also are partnering with local organizations which have developed the infrastructure for implementing the proposals the Forum develops. We are developing this network of Action Partners to provide an avenue for members of our audience at the June 21st event and online who are engaged and interested in rolling up their sleeves.”
Attendees at this year's event must have a ticket, but the tickets are free and available now at www.thecharlestonforum.com.
Final speaker line-up includes:
- Cindy Ambrose, Deputy Superintendent of Learning Services, Charleston County School District
- Sue Berkowitz, Executive Director of S.C. Appleseed Legal Justice Center
- Paris Dennard, Senior Director of Strategic Communications, Thurgood Marshall College Fund
- Darrin Goss, President and CEO, Coastal Community Foundation
- Lilyn Hester, Southeast Public Affairs, Google
- Faith Rivers James, Assistant Provost for Leadership, The Citadel
- Michael B. Moore, CEO/President, International African American Museum
- John Read – CEO, Tri-County Cradle to Career
- Bakari Sellers, CNN Commentator and Attorney
- Alana Simmons, Former educator and creator of Hate Won't Win, Granddaughter of Rev. Daniel L. Simmons Sr.
- Elliot Smalley, Superintendent, Public Charter School District
- Steve Warner, Vice President of Global Competitiveness, Charleston Regional Development Alliance
