‘Having the Talk’ about Race And Making Change

 The PTA Council of Evanston/Skokie presents its third-annual, four-part series: “Navigating Real Life Diversity with Our Kids: Communicating and Acting with Awareness and Bravery.”

The first part of the series will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Sept. 27 at the Evanston Public Library, 1703 Orrington Ave. The series explores the urgency of frequent dialogue around race, identity, and difference with the youngest of children to adults, as well as strategies families can use to directly address inequity in their schools and communities.

The first program in the series, “Have You Had the Talk…About Race?” will focus on the need to be talking, what to bring to these conversations, how to start talking, and how to communicate with children in developmentally appropriate ways about race and difference. This session, facilitated by diversity educator and consultant, Elisabeth “Biz” Lindsay-Ryan, lays the groundwork for the rest of the series. 

“Navigating Real Life Diversity with Our Kids” is sponsored by the PTA Council of Evanston/Skokie in partnership with Evanston/Skokie School District 65, Evanston Public Library, Youth and Opportunities United (Y.O.U.), Family Focus, YWCA Evanston/North Shore, the James B. Moran Center for Youth Advocacy, and the Organization for Positive Action and Leadership (OPAL). No registration is required. The event is free and open to all, and child care and Spanish translation will be provided.

Corrie Wallace, the series’ primary facilitator and equity, diversity and inclusion consultant for District 65, said, “I am thrilled that these community groups are collaborating to support this year’s series, which acknowledges that living in a ‘diverse’ community isn’t enough. I hope that participants walk away with ideas on how they can impact their spheres of influence.”

The three subsequent programs will continue the “Have You Had the Talk?” theme with different emphases. The Nov. 2 program will focus on what racism means to all children. The Feb. 6, 2017 presentation will delve into how different aspects of identity impact one’s experiences, and the final event on March 13, 2017 will explore the power of each Evanstonian to create a lasting impact.

Karen Danczak Lyons, Library Director, added, “Evanston Public Library, as a vital gathering place open to everyone in the community, welcomes partnerships that extend our reach. This Navigating Diversity series is an example of excellence in programming that has the ability to connect and engage Evanstonians.”