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You’re invited to a public symposium on race relations and social justice, “Dismantling Systems of Racism and Exclusion for a Better I.E.,” on Saturday, April 13, at Cal State San Bernardino.

The symposium, hosted by CSUSB and its University Diversity Committee in partnership with the Westside Action Group, will be held in the university’s Santos Manuel Student Union. The program, which includes lunch and a keynote presentation, runs from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. with registration beginning at 8 a.m.

Discussion and breakout sessions will focus on homelessness, food insecurity, mental health, school-to-prison pipeline, drug addiction, criminal justice system, and the need to develop future inland region leaders.

In the fall, five working groups, composed of community members and CSUSB faculty and staff, began meeting independently for roundtable discussions on these important issues, with a focus on solutions and sustained action for improvement. From these conversations, the groups will present their findings on April 13. Post-symposium meetings will be held to track progress and outcomes of the proposed solutions.

Leaders and stakeholders from throughout the region, representing education, business, government, and faith-based organizations, will share ideas, discuss best practices, and identify opportunities to improve the health and well-being of our communities.

Award-winning social change agent and former senior advisor and vice president of the W. K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF), Gail C. Christopher, will serve as the symposium’s keynote speaker. She is the visionary for and architect of the WKKF-led Truth Racial Healing and Transformation (TRHT) effort for America. TRHT is an adaptation of the globally recognized Truth and Reconciliation Commission model, having evolved from the decade-long WKKF America Healing initiative, designed and led by Christopher, which advances racial healing and racial equity.

Over the last 10 years, Christopher was responsible for several other areas of foundation programming, including food, health and well-being, leadership, public policy, community engagement, and place-based funding in New Orleans and New Mexico. She is a highly sought-after speaker on racial healing, the human capacity for human caring, and the social determinants of health and wellness.

Sponsors include Westside Action GroupNo Kid Hungry Campaign, CSUSB’s President’s Office, University Diversity Committee, and the John M. Pfau Library.

We encourage everyone to join us in this important conversation. Serious issues of race and race relations exist in the Inland Empire. You and others are part of the effort to address these challenges. We seek to partner with you in a multi-year effort to coordinate actions and push for catalytic change. Complimentary parking will be available in Lot D. For more information, contact Robie Madrigal at rmadriga@csusb.edu or (909) 537-5104.