YWCA and Lucas County Children Services Sponsor Anti-Racism Event
YWCA AND LUCAS COUNTY CHILDREN SERVICES SPONSOR ANTI-RACISM EVENT
(TOLEDO, OH – April 12, 2021) — As part of its ongoing effort to end structural racism in our community, the YWCA of Northwest Ohio, in partnership with Lucas County Children Services, will hold its annual Stand Against Racism conference, April 22 and 23, from 1 to 5 p.m.
This year’s conference will focus on, “The Trauma of Systemic Racism on Black Families.” Thursday’s keynote speaker will be Dr. Barbara Love, author and professor emeritus of social justice education at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She returns to Toledo to discuss liberation, individual and societal transformation, and social justice.
Dr. Love’s presentation will be followed by discussions led by Dr. Michael W. Waters, founding pastor of Abundant Life A.M.E. Church in Dallas, Texas, and the author of the award-winning books, For Beautiful Black Boys Who Believe in a Better World, and Stakes Is High: Race, Faith, and Hope for America. His wife, Yulise Reaves Waters, Esq., will address incarceration and criminal justice reform. Ms. Waters is deputy director of the Lone Star Justice Alliance, a nonprofit legal organization in Texas that improves the lives of youth and emerging adults in the justice system and addresses racial disparities in the criminal legal system.
On Friday, Jawanza Kunjufu will provide the keynote address. He is the author of more than 25 books about the challenges and obstacles that Black boys encounter in education and American culture, including Raising Black Boys, and 200 Plus Educational Strategies to Teach Children of Color. His work has been featured in Ebony and Essence, and he has been a guest on BET and Oprah. His presentation will be followed by a “fireside debrief,” with Toledo-area leaders from child welfare, education, mental and physical health, law enforcement, and criminal justice. The panel will discuss the ways that racism plays out for children and families in their individual circles. The final presenter will be Adrienne Elhai, Ph.D., of Toledo’s Cullen Center and an expert in treating childhood trauma.
Due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, this event will be held virtually. Tickets are $50, and include both the Thursday and Friday sessions. Tickets are available at https://vinyu.us/ywca. Sponsorship opportunities are available, contact Lisa McDuffie for details.
About YWCA of Northwest Ohio
The YWCA of Northwest Ohio, working to meet the diverse needs of women and the elimination of racism, serves more than 15,000 individuals each year through various programs. The programs include: Domestic Violence Shelter, Rape Crisis Center, Child Care Resource and Referral, Youth Development, Long Term Housing, and Healthy Connections.
About Lucas County Children Services
The mission of Lucas County Children Services is to lead the community in the protection of children at risk of abuse and neglect. This is accomplished by working with families, service providers and community members to assess risk and coordinate community-based services resulting in safe, stable and permanent families for children.
Press Release Contact Name: Lisa McDuffie
Press Release Contact Email: [email protected]
Press Release Contact Phone: 419-241-3235
Organization Name: YWCA of Northwest Ohio
Website or Link: www.ywcanwo.org