The program committee has discussed bringing programs related to current events, particularly regarding racial justice. August 5th will be the first related program.

 

DJ Vincent, from Salem Leadership Foundation will present a program on the questions:   How can we BECOME leaders who practice BRIDGING difference and creating BELONGING in Salem?  D.J. is the South Salem Lightening Rod and Deputy Director for Salem Leadership Foundation. In January of this year DJ helped launch a Bridging Cohort of community leaders interested in racial and social justice. This group formed based upon a training from Ben McBride the founder of the Empower Initiative in California. Ben McBride’s focus is to transform public safety through bridge-building. He trained over 100 department and law enforcement executives in California over the last 3 years. DJ will be describing his experience using McBride’s “Belonging Window” to help understand how we see people and situations from different perspectives. He will share how the Bridging Cohort is bringing a variety of community leaders together to increase understanding of racial differences and seek solutions to racial injustice issues in Salem.