Community Engagement News

Deliberative Dialogue Series Draws Attention to Race Relations in Diverse, Divided Community

Participating in the forum are Michidael Ceard, organizing director of the Florida Student Power Network; Mateo Gomez, a former Barry student leader; and Guy Forchion, former executive director of the Virginia Key Beach Park Trust. – Photos by Glenn Bowen

The most recent forum in the Deliberative Dialogue Series drew attention to race relations in a diverse community experiencing significant political divide.

Florida has become a hotbed of controversial legislative actions that, as some forum participants intimated, reflect racial bias and discrimination against minority population groups. Participants felt that political party adherence had caused some state lawmakers to abandon principle and concern for equitable education.

Although many people see Miami as “a melting pot,” the community is “very segregated,” said Michidael Ceard, organizing director of the Florida Student Power Network. Racial and cultural segregation is evident in schools and neighborhoods, she pointed out. And she decried “the attacks on education that are currently happening in this state.”

Ms. Ceard—also a regional field manager for Color of Change, the nation’s largest online racial justice organization—was one of the lead participants at the forum earlier this month. The Barry alumna said much could be learned about Florida’s rich culture through engagement with community organizations.

Immanuel Mitchell, president of the Barry College Republicans, and Imani McClammy, president of the Barry College Democrats, taking part in the deliberative dialogue. – Photo by Glenn Bowen

Imani McClammy, president of the Barry College Democrats, praised the diversity of the community. She noted, however, that unless people were to get out of their own neighborhoods, they would not experience the diversity in the Greater Miami area.

Similarly, Guy Forchion, former executive director of the Virginia Key Beach Park Trust, suggested that community members become curious and willing to learn about other cultures. They should “reach out to someone who doesn’t look like you” and ask questions, Mr. Forchion added.

Titled “Race Talk in Florida: Bridging the Political Divide,” the forum on February 9 was part of the Deliberative Dialogue Series focused on “fostering resiliency in times of uncertainty.”

Also on the panel of lead participants were Immanuel Mitchell, president of the Barry College Republicans; Mateo Gomez, a former student leader and current marketing coordinator at Barry; and Dr. Sean Foreman, professor of political science.

Dr. Sarah Riva, an assistant professor of history, who focuses her scholarship on race relations, served as moderator of the forum.

Pictured among the participants (with microphones, from lop, L–R) are Dr. Sarah Riva, assistant professor of history; Dr. Sean Foreman, professor of political science; Dr. Heidi LaPorte, associate professor of social work; and Keva Boone, associate director of instructional and media technology. – Photos by Glenn Bowen

Panelists shared their views on Florida’s “Stop WOKE Act,” which restricts education about race and gender. And while Mitchell, the Barry College Republicans president, praised the legislation, deliberative dialogue participants largely criticized it.

Earlier, staff member Keva Boone stressed that education was not solely the responsibility of the government and the school system. She said parents, family members, churches, and others should do their part to ensure that children get a good education and opportunities to succeed.

Forum participants agreed that people should learn about their past but should turn only to credible sources. People should get involved with community organizations that can provide information, resources, and support, they said, noting that such organizations may engage in advocacy or lobbying, which could contribute to desired social change.

“Register to vote—and vote” was another suggestion made at the forum. Voting was seen as a way to elect officials who would consider the will of the people and also as a way to hold officials to account for the decisions they make.

CCSI Associate Director Courtney Berrien shares suggestions made by participants regarding what should be done and how stakeholders can get involved in addressing various issues raised at the forum. – Photos by Glenn Bowen

Organized by the Center for Community Service Initiatives (CCSI), the Deliberative Dialogue Series consists of four facilitated forums that elicit “voices and views from campus and community.” Students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community partners take part in each of the 90-minute forums, which are also aimed at generating suggestions for workable public policies and effective action.

Two forums in this year’s series took place in the fall semester. One focused on the situation in Haiti; the other addressed “learning losses” in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The topic of the final forum for the year is “Building Resiliency in the Face of Climate Change.” The forum will take place on April 13 from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. in Andreas 112.

Barry University Seeking ‘Voter Friendly Campus’ Designation for Second Time

Named a “Voter Friendly Campus” for the first time in 2021, Barry University is one of only 15 colleges and universities in Florida that received the national designation.

Barry University is seeking the “Voter Friendly Campus” designation for the second time. The national designation is given in recognition of successful efforts to incorporate democratic engagement into the collegiate experience.

Earlier this month, the Campus Democracy Project (CDP) organizers turned in the final report on the implementation of Barry’s Democratic Engagement Action Plan. The report highlighted the registration of an estimated 200 students as new voters and listed various events designed primarily to educate potential voters.

Fair Elections Center’s Campus Vote Project and NASPA–Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education are sponsors of the “Voter Friendly Campus” designation. They have scheduled the release of the list of successful applicants for next month.

Colleges and universities making the list will hold the designation from March 2023 through December 2024.

Barry was designated as a “Voter Friendly Campus” for the first time in 2021. Only 14 other colleges and universities in Florida received the designation that year.

The Center for Community Service Initiatives (CCSI) established the CDP in 2012 to encourage voting among students and to foster interest in political issues at the local, state, and national levels.

Alumna to Make Special Presentation at Black History Month Celebration in Hollywood

A Barry alumna will make a special presentation on “Black Resistance” at a Black History Month celebration in the City of Hollywood this Thursday (Feb. 23).

Dr. Brittany S. Lee-Wright, a Broward County Public Schools literacy coach at Dillard High 6–12, will highlight 10 forms of resistance by Blacks, including music and fashion. She will comment specifically on the roles of the Black church and historical Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

Dr. Lee-Wright is a co-creator of the podcast “Books & Bubbles,” which spotlights and reviews literature from Black authors across the African diaspora.

A teacher since 2011, she received two degrees from Barry: a master’s in reading and a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction.

Student to Sing "Black National Anthem"

The Black History Month event will also feature a rendition of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" (aka the "Black National Anthem") by Patricia Denson, an undergraduate in Barry’s School of Social Work.

“Black Resistance” is the national theme of Black History Month this year. The theme explores how African Americans have resisted oppression in all forms, especially the racial terrorism of lynching and police killings, over many decades.

According to the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), the 1950s and 1970s in the United States were defined by sit-ins, boycotts, walkouts, and strikes by Black people and white allies “in the fight for justice against discrimination in all sectors of society.”

Black people, ASALH stated, “have had to consistently push the United States to live up to its ideals of freedom, liberty, and justice for all.” And, the association added, Black-led institutions “have lobbied, litigated, legislated, protested, and achieved success.”

Barry’s Center for Community Service Initiatives (CCSI) is again assisting the City of Hollywood’s African American Advisory Council (AAAC) with its annual celebration of Black History Month.

Organized by the AAAC, this Thursday’s event will take place at the Washington Park Community Center—5199 Pembroke Road, Hollywood, FL 33021—beginning at 6:00 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

For information on Federal Work-Study Community Service,
contact the program facilitator via email at bsc@barry.edu.

Opportunities for Careers in Social Justice-Focused Community Organizing

The DART Center is offering opportunities for careers in community organizing for social justice. Available positions include associate community organizer.

Associate community organizers are expected to begin working in May and August. The vacancies are in Florida—in Daytona Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Lakeland, Palm Beach, and St. Petersburg—as well as in Johnson County, Wichita, Kansas; Louisville, Kentucky; and Charleston, South Carolina. 

In addition, “leadership positions” are available in Bradenton, Florida, and Evansville, Indiana.

A network of 31 grassroots organizations, DART brings people together across racial, religious, and socioeconomic lines to pursue social, economic, and racial justice. The organizations’ work includes supporting efforts to prevent gun violence, shut down the school-to-prison pipeline, rein in predatory lenders, expand access to healthcare, and promote immigrants’ rights.

“We are looking for passionate and motivated individuals to drive this important grassroots work across the country,” said DART’s director of recruitment, Moe Leneweaver, in an email to the CCSI. “And we'd love to have Barry grads join the team.”

DART’s local affiliate is PACT (People Acting for Community Together), a Miami-based organization currently working to stop gun violence, expand affordable housing, and address environmental issues. Affiliates are diverse coalitions that include representatives of communities of color, low- to moderate-income communities, and immigrant communities.

Additional information is available at the DART website and from the director of recruitment at moe@thedartcenter.org.