A community forum to talk about systemic racism, postponed last year because of the coronavirus pandemic, has been rescheduled. The Unity Summit is now planned for 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Saturday, July 31, at Christian County Middle School, 215 Glass Ave. The public is invited.
The summit organizers are Christian County Judge-Executive Steve Tribble, Hopkinsville Mayor Wendell Lynch and the elected leaders in four county towns — Pembroke Mayor Judy Peterson, Oak Grove Mayor Theresa Jarvis, LaFayette Mayor Jared Thatcher and Crofton Mayor Danny Lacy.
“In response to alarming events that have occurred throughout the nation, the summit is designed to be an initial conversation surrounding the concept of systemic racism including police and community relations throughout our county,” the organizers said in a news release.
They said they “hope to build on existing area connections that have prevented such tragedies while recognizing we are not immune to these developments.”
Several speakers are slated for the summit, including the Rev. Lisa Lewis Balbao, pastor of Freeman Chapel CME Church, who will moderate testimonials given by Magistrate Magaline Ferguson, retired district judge Arnold Lynch and retired educator Levi Peterson.
Christian Circuit Judge Andrew Self will moderate a discussion with several panelists, including:
- School Superintendent Chris Bentzel
- Sheriff Tyler DeArmond
- Human Rights Commission Executive Director Idalia Luna
- Morehouse University graduate Donovan Pinner
- Police Chief Clayton Sumner
- Hopkinsville Community College President Alissa Young
Following the panel discussion, there will be breakout sessions for participants. Groups will be asked to use questions to develop action items for their communities, according to the schedule provided by organizers.
To register or get more information about the event, go to hoptown.org/unity or call the city of Hopkinsville at 270-887-4000. Registration will run through July 21.
“While event organizers look forward to positive, productive dialogue, it is understood a single gathering cannot address every issue,” the news release states. “Therefore, the group remains committed to continued opportunities to engage in action items developed during this initial meeting and future conversations.”
Tribble said organizers were confident about the safety of the summit because of improved COVID-19 conditions locally and the loosening of coronavirus restrictions.
Lynch agreed and said, “We are especially excited that this means more members of our communities will be able to actively engage during the program which will include uplifting testimonials, an enlightening panel discussion, and small group breakout sessions allowing participants to interact throughout the morning.”
This story has been updated to include a list of speakers.
Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. She spent 30 years as a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition.
