Working together to create racial equity…

In 2007, City Manager Kim Payne and Mayor Joan Foster proposed that the community engage in a discussion on racial issues in the Lynchburg community. The proposal was not driven by just one incident but by an understanding that Lynchburg is a changing community and that issues of diversity are becoming increasingly important in a number of areas including public safety, housing, and employment. Conversations with other community leaders helped to convince us that the time was ripe for such a discussion. The goal is to have discussions that are open, honest, inclusive and sustainable. Research and discussion with community stakeholders resulted in a consensus to utilize the Study Circles model for The Lynchburg Community Dialogue on Race and Racism.