Open Discussion & Race Relations

NEWS from

Conway Community Race Relations Initiative

198 E. Highway 286

Conway, AR 72035

NEW RACE RELATIONS INITIATIVE BEGINS AT TRUE HOLINESS

Community comes together for open discussion

CONWAY, Ark.(Aug. 4, 2016) – In response to recent reports of police shootings, conway residents and leaders gathered to host the first “conversation and prayer” of Conway Community Race Relations Initiative on July 28, 2016.

The night began with Conway Mayor Tab Townsell addressing the audience.

“The importance of tonight, is for you to talk, and for me to listen.”

Mayor Tab Townsell

The method behind the initiative is to organize a steering committee and working groups that focus on “varying assets” in the conway community to give equal representation. There is a special focus on relations of police officers and city residents.

“We’re going to put together a working group with our law enforcement agencies,” said Mayor Townsell. “We’re going to make sure we’re taking the best practices needed wherever for diversity training, and that law enforcement has the vehicles to know the people they are policing, and that those people are comfortable with our law enforcers.”

Individuals varied at the event from age, race, and gender, with about a 200 member attendance. Among them were over 50 local pastors; members from the Conway, University of Central Arkansas, and Little Rock police department’s; faculty and staff members from UCA; and Conway residents. The form of the event was as an open discussion with the moderator as Alderwoman Shelia Isby. Individuals were encouraged to share their stories, concerns or solutions in a timely and respectful manner.

With mikes on either side of the circle the audience members formed, speakers slowly began to line up and become more comfortable to share, totaling around 30 testimonies.

Dr. Folake Oluokun, a woman who identifies herself as not only American, but also Nigerian and African, spoke about treating others as human, rather than based on their physical appearance.

Dr. Folake Oluokun

“I am a physician, but I am also importantly a child of God,” said Oluokun. “I am just like any other physician, and in an emergency, you will want me there because of my training…. When someone walks in, I have to help them, regardless of their skin color.”

Speakers also brought up concerns about their children, and the examples that were being set for future generations.

Melissa Castleberry

Melissa Castleberry, a white female and long-time resident of Conway, recalled in the first grade when Conway schools became integrated.  “We began teaching our children when they are young, that all people are created in the image of God,” She said. “Red or yellow, black or white, they are precious in His eyes. And we as parents, and grand-parents need to teach this at a very young age.”

 

This concern stems especially from the portrayal of police officers and law enforcement in the media at the beginning of July.

“I think that we need to get our police forces into the school system at an early age,” said Andy Hawkins, a member of the Conway city council for over 20 years.

Andy Hawkins

As a white male with an African-American daughter-in-law and grandson, Hawkins spoke from personal concern for his grandson dealing with fear or prejudice from police forces. Other members of the audience agreed with Hawkins proposal of an earlier introduction for children to law enforcement.

“I want to see our police do the job that they are hired for,” Hawkins said. “I believe most if not all, are very, very good people. I think we need to make sure that young children of all races need to know that the police officers are their friends. I think if you wait, you’ve missed an opportunity.”

Another speaker spoke from experience on the other side of police. Dennis Moore, a black 30-year veteran of the Little Rock Police Department, shared his testimony of seeing and experiencing racism inside and outside law enforcement.

 

Officer Dennis Moore

“I have seen racism day in and day out,” said Moore. Unfortunately I’ve seen it on both sides; I’ve seen black and white be racist towards each other. The only way we can deal with it is if we each have a voice that whenever we see it we do something or saying something to try and stop it.”

 

Thursday night was the beginning for these concerns to be shared in an attempt to be proactive for race relations in the city of conway. The Initiative hopes to gain momentum from this first meeting and great involvement from the community.

Moore encouraged and challenged the audience to be aware of daily interactions with people and to break out of their comfort zones.

“It’s not the people in this room we’re worried about,” said Moore.  “But the only way it’s going to get the message out of these four walls to the people that matter, is if every single person in here takes something from this night and takes it out and share it with somebody.”

Benjy Richards, Victoria Hittle, Dr. Riva Brown, Kirby Kell, Mellisa Lee, PR Gurus.

 

Contact:

Victoria Hittle PR Coordinator CCRRI

(479) 463-0960

vhittle1@cub.uca.edu

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4djXnlc6xp1NHc5cUh3bkUtVlE/view?usp=sharing

Embracing Our Nation’s Differences

NEWS from

Conway Community Race Relations Initiative

198 E. Highway 286

Conway, AR 72035

TRUE HOLINESS CENTER HOSTS FIRST RACE RELATIONS MEETING

Conway residents discuss problems of world, nation, community

CONWAY, Ark. (Aug. 2, 2016) – Residents of central Arkansas gathered together on July 28, 2016, to share their past experiences on race relations and to express their hopes and expectations for their community’s future.

The idea of a community wide outreach was created after a conversation between Mayor Tab Townsell and Pastor E.C. Maltbia of True Holiness Saints Center. Later, a committee of an estimated 40 community leaders came up with the idea to develope the Conway Community Race Relations Initiative which was hosted in the True Holiness Family Life Center.

The focus around this event was to bring together members of the faith and business community, law enforcement, civic and educational leaders to pray and discuss how race relations are being sought out in the Conway community.  

Representatives such as the City of Conway, University of Central Arkansas, Hendrix College, Central Baptist College, Conway Public Schools, Faulkner County, Attorney’s Office, Conway Area Chamber of Commerce, area pastors and community leaders have committed to provide a positive output for Conway’s race relations.

“Do we have a strong enough community to deal with the serious heat that comes in the aftermath of such a great tragedy that we have seen happen across this nation,” Townsell asked the crowd in his opening statement.

An estimated 200 people of different races, backgrounds and employment attended the event where 26 people took the stand to share their experiences with the crowd.  

Dr. Folake Oluokun, an African-American woman from Nigeria, said that prejudice is not an American problem, it is a human problem, and she wishes that people will start seeing others as human and not by their legal titles.

 “We need to make sure we go beyond just working with people, we need to know them,” said Oluokun.

Born and raised in Conway, David Rice, a middle-aged white male, expressed his love for his hometown and said it’s important that even a small town to be prepared for violent, racial incidents, like the ones happening in other states.

He went on to say that we, as individuals, can not change the world. We can only change our world and work together as a team to make the world a better place.

“Collectively, we can change the world. We are all in this together, and it’s not going to happen on Facebook; it’s going to happen face to face,” said Rice.

 

Video LaTonya Matheney showing her passion at CCRRI: click here for video

###

CONTACT

Kirby Kell, PR specialist

kkell1@cub.uca.edu

555-555-5555 (office)

333-333-3333 (cell)

Assignment5finalWOODS

 

NEWS FROM

Conway Community Race Relations Initiative
198 East Highway 286
Conway, AR 72032

CONWAY RACE RELATIONS INITIATIVE LAUNCHED

An open forum brings shared hearts and minds together

 

      CONWAY, Ark (July 28, 2016) Community residents and leaders gathered at True Holiness family center in Conway, Arkansas on July 28, 2016, in response to the recent police shootings and violence.

      The meeting was the start of the Conway Community Race Relations Initiative that hopes to bridge gaps between racial groups in the area. At the meeting, there were about 200 people present and 31 spoke.

      In attendance were more than 50 community leaders such as pastors, several members of law enforcement, the mayor of Conway, representatives from Hendrix, Central Baptist College and the University of Central Arkansas, and local political candidates.

Conway officer and resident hugging before the meeting began.

 

      “This conversation is just the start not the finish. The importance of tonight is for you to talk and me to listen,” Townsell said “there are three rules of the meeting: be respectful with your comments, no speaker can go over three minutes, and we are at a church.”

Conway Mayor Tab Townsell explains the rules of the forum.

 

     A moderator then opened the forum to the public and for a moment no one got up to speak. An air of shyness gathered in the room until the first resident of Conway broke the silence.

      After the first person spoke others began lining up at the microphones and the conversation was flowing.

      Following every three to four speakers, the moderator invited a local pastor to pray over the meeting. Thirteen pastors were recognized during the meeting.

      “Lord I pray to you, that this group right here will fulfill your prayers in the garden.” said Pastor Derek Jones, white male and pastor of Sold Out Church.

Pastor Derek Jones praying in between speakers.

 

      The conversation focused around the safety and future of our children and law enforcement.

     “When it happens to your kid, it’s too late to talk about it now,” said LaTonya Matheney, black female and student services program director at UCA.

LaTonya Matheney, student services program at UCA.

      Many speakers proposed that children become more familiar with law enforcement at an early age. Some suggested law enforcement visiting schools often starting in kindergarten.

      One resident advocated that law enforcement begin walking their neighborhood routes instead of cruising through.

     “It is not the people in this room we are worried about,” said Dennis Moore, a 30 year veteran of the Little Rock Police Department and black male, “Racism exists and the only way to deal with it is to do or say something about it.”

Officer Dennis Moore speaking on behalf of law enforcement.

 

      Moore explained that there are good and bad cops but only a small fraction are bad. He revealed that the LRPD holds 70 vacant job positions.

      At the end of the meeting, those present were asked to take a selfie with someone they did not come with and post it with the hashtag “CRI.”

      “The outcome of this meeting is steering committees of actual citizens to drive this effort.” said Townsell at the beginning of the meeting.

      The five committees of the Conway Community Race Relations Initiative are the faith initiative, law enforcement group, the college initiative, education k-12, and communication and community outreach.

 

 

CONTACT

Julia Woods, PR specialist

501-772-8414 (cell)

501-883-3534 (office)

 

Conway Gathers in Hope

NEWS from Conway Community Race Relations Initiative

198 Highway 286 East Conway, AR 72032

---

   COMMUNITY RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE HOLDS FIRST MEETING

Program unites Conway through experiences

CONWAY, Ark. (July 28, 2016) – About 200 community residents and leaders gathered Thursday night at True Holiness Family Center for open conversation on race relations and discussed ideas to make the community stronger.

Mayor Tab Townsell, as well as local pastors, college leaders and area law enforcement departments started a new program called the Conway Community Race Relations, where peace and unity is encouraged among residents. The meeting was moderated by Alderwoman Sheila Isby. At first she sensed hesitation from the crowd but quickly people began to find courage and share their experiences with racial divides.

About 30 people spoke ranging from different ages, young 20s to older 60s and diverse cultures, Hispanic, African-American, caucasians and blacks. Many speakers were parents, grand-parents and everyday people whose outlooks on race relations varied .

One of the first individuals to speak was Dr. Folake Oluokun, originally from Nigeria,  who described herself as probably the only true “African-American” in the room. “Race is not an American problem, it’s a human problem,” said Oluokun.

Dr. Folake Oluokun

Throughout the testimonies, multiple pastors also varying from different cultures and races, prayed over the statements. Some thanked God for allowing the meeting to take place, quoted the Bible directly and mentioned race relations in their sermon.

 

Another speaker said, “I learned early on in life, I can not change that world but I can change my world. Collectively we can change the world and it won’t be through facebook but through face-to-face interaction.”

 

Brian Kingston, a white male pastor who is a father of five said “I do not like the expression color blind. I am not color blind. I see all colors and I celebrate the differences we have and pray everyone starts to do the same.”

Brian Kingston

UCA staff member, LaTonya Matheney, spoke with passion from the very start of her speech, “I want to talk about the pink elephant in the room, about what’s going on in the world right now, we can’t ignore it, we have to address it if we want solutions.” She spoke of her fear of losing her brothers to a world of violence and ended her testimony with an acronym “EARN: educate, acknowledge, relate, nurture,” and challenged the crowd to begin having these tough conversations outside of this meeting.

LaTonya Matheney

Mayor Townsell said that this assembly was just the beginning and announced the formation of a steering committee, led in part by the Vice President for Student Services and Institutional Diversity at the University of Central Arkansas. Working groups would also be established which will help residents in an organized manner to continue to keep talking about ways to improve race relations in Conway.

The night ended with True Holiness Saints Church pastor Cornell Maltbia asking everyone to take selfies with at least three people they didn’t know and to share it to their social media platforms with the hashtag #CRI, to celebrate the new program and Conway’s bright future.

Video from CCRRI meeting: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B_Y-rm7OZFeYekJiWDBtcXpiX0U

###

CONWAY COMMUNITY RACE RELATIONS INITIATIVE

The Conway Community Race Relations Initiative, established in July of 2016 in response to recent police shootings, is a group of community leaders and residents of Conway, Arkansas. Mayor Tab Townsell, members of the faith community, civic and educational leaders, the business community, and law enforcement officials are apart of the initiative to open up discussion about race relations. For more information,email ccrri@cityofconway.org.

CONTACT: Mellisa Lee, CCRRI intern

mellisalee19@yahoo.com

908-989-0980 (office)

908-987-0987 (cell)