Upcoming Community Conversations

Upcoming Community Conversations
Posted on 12/21/2018
Starting in 2019, a series of community meetings will take place at Rindge Avenue Upper School for the North Cambridge community, including the Baldwin community. There will be five sessions to talk about issues around racial equity, racial bias in education, racial identity, and more. The series of evening conversations to discuss race and racial equity, how it impacts teaching, learning, and family experiences at school.

Each session builds on the previous, so you are urged to try to attend as many of the five sessions as possible.

Facilitator Julienne Smrcka has designed a process to prepare participants to move from cursory day-to-day communication to the depth of dialogue necessary to speak about race and equity: a process to have a more accurate understanding of those not like ourselves in the community. When we work this way to build empathy, we can move collectively to bring about change. We will be building a common language and trust in the first two session. This will ensure that everyone has a shared understanding to engage with fellow community members with sensitivity. We want to build a safe space for the courageous conversations. Therefore, building a vision and strategy with big and small action steps to transform Cambridge into a learning community that is equitable for all.

Sessions take place at 70 Rindge Avenue from 5:30 - 8PM with dinner provided and childcare for ages 3 and older. If you have any questions, please contact Tina Lieu at [email protected].
  • January 22: Understanding race and culture through an ecological lens. We will review definitions of racial inequities and oppression. A presentation of data and statistics in the areas of health, education, and income showing current disparities for members in our community. Dialogue: Self-introductions.
  • February 26: A role-play that will demonstrate the tools and techniques to “have the conversation”. This process will show how we can challenge our own beliefs to better connect with other members of our community. Dialogue: Empathy and Trust
  • March 26: Facilitated small groups using “Socrates Cafe” model. Dialogue: how culture and race impacts our children and family.
  • April 23: Facilitated small group work also using “Socrates Cafe.” Dialogue: how culture and race impacts our community and imagining equity.
  • May 28: Large group: Path Forward-Goal Setting-Timeline. Dialogue: Action Steps.
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