Open Forum: Youth in Richmond !
ryf-bill & mayor
Mayor McLaughlin and Bill
On December 1st, Angela Cox of the Richmond Teen Library and I held a public open forum on the subject of Youth in Richmond.
Angela Cox
Angela Cox
Powerful dialogue with the city youth, Mayor Gayle McLaughlin, police school resource officer Eddie Russell, middle school principal Sylvia Greenwood, city librarian Angela Cox, Berkeley High School Dean Ardarius McDonald, Coro alum Ilse Rueda, Richmond High School Law Academy's Catherine Hernandez and Milca Baires, Elaine Garcia, bike activists, and spoken word artist group RAW Talent DeAndre Evans and Donte Clark. There were many highlights and issues including: homelessness, violence, territorial disputes, ageism, resources, and education.
Doug Harris shot and edited this wonderful video on the forum:
The Richmond Confidential article:
http://richmondconfidential.org/2012/12/03/forum-addresses-issues-facing-richmon\ d-youth/
Milca Baires and Ilse Rueda
Milca Baires and Ilse Rueda
Donte Clark and Deandre Evans from RAW Talent group !
Sgt. Eddie Russell, School Resources Officer Richmond Police
Donte Clark and Deandre Evans of RAW Talent Sgt. Eddie Russell of the Richmond Police
One incredible moment happened when territorial violence was brought up by some of the young men. Sgt. Eddie Russell of the Richmond Police asked if he could be of any help in facilitating this. He expressed humility and care and openness. This moment of connection promises further dialogue. Amazing!
Differences due to race, age, and position were brought up and then with little prompting, the whole group paired up with someone who they would not normally talk to. Amazing buzz, excitement and CONNECTION happened!
Open forums are amazing. Thank you Arny Mindell for this way of facilitating the world!!!
Love, Bill