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Featured State News

Shaw, City Of Raleigh Urge Public To Respond To Courageous Community Conversations Survey

@SpectacularMag

publicRALEIGH, NC – The Shaw University Center for Racial and Social Justice, in partnership with the City of Raleigh, is opening a new survey to the public. Residents may also dial 919-582-3745 to complete the survey. The survey asks Raleigh residents to respond to a shortlist of seven questions gauging which issues are most important to themselves and the community. On Monday, May 17th, President Paulette Dillard, Assistant City Manager Evan Raleigh, and Dr. Johnny Hill held a press conference outside Leonard Hall on the Shaw University campus to outline the survey.

The goal of the Courageous Community Project is to improve the quality of life for all the people of Raleigh through the development of new policies and procedures. The process starts now by hearing from the community about what matters most to them.

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“As the founding location for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, Shaw has a rich legacy as a social justice leader,” said Dr. Paulette Dillard, president of Shaw University. “This partnership with the City of Raleigh allows Shaw to expand its work and make meaningful impacts for the local community.”

“The goal of our collaboration with the Center for Racial and Social Justice is to develop an actionable plan to build a more equitable community for all of us. This is not a project for one segment of our community or people who have experienced inequity,” said Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin. “The Courageous Community Project is for ALL of us. And, we all have to work together to make our community better.”

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“I’m so excited about this Courageous Community Conversations project between Shaw University and the City of Raleigh,” added Dr. Johnny Hill, co-director of the Center for Racial and Social Justice at Shaw University. “This is an intentional effort to tackle the tough issue of race, systemic racism, white supremacy, and all of the other challenges that impact our city and that have impacted our city for a very long time.”

The results will be compiled by the CRSJ to inform a series of public listening sessions on race, racism, and social equity. The series, called Courageous Community Conversations, is an initiative with the City of Raleigh. The public forums will begin later this year; the topics and dates will be announced in advance.

The survey can be found here.

ABOUT THE CENTER FOR RACIAL AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
The Center for Racial and Social Justice (CRSJ) is effecting meaningful social change by supporting students’ engagement around civil and human rights, spiritual formation, discernment, and social justice. The CRSJ also supports the development of healthy congregations and communities. 
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Dr. Johnny Hill (2nd from left) and Dr. Paulette Dillard (c) at the opening of the CRSJ. (submitted)