DCCC creates Center for Equity and Social Justice

Delaware County Community College is hosting its first component of “Dialogues in Diversity” 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 28 as part of its newly established Center for Equity and Social Justice.

“Now more than ever, there is a call to action for Americans to have conversations about inequity, conversations that can be incredibly difficult and uncomfortable,” Delaware County Community College President Dr. L. Joy Gates Black said. “However, if we truly believe in a society that is equitable and just for all, a society that respects everyone regardless of color, creed, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation, then we must not fear those crucial conversations, but embrace them, because it is through open, honest dialogue and discourse that we will learn that we are joined by so much more than that which separates us.”

This first conversation will focus on policing in Delco’s communities. It will feature police officers and other community leaders and will look at the topic from a variety of perspectives. Because of the pandemic, this conversation will occur as a live webinar. Free and open to the public, attendants are asked to register at dccc.edu/dialogues.

“Dialogues in Diversity” is intended to be a series of conversations as part of the programming from the Center for Equity and Social Justice.

Delaware County Community College created this center this year after the events unfolding locally and nationally to encourage courageous, respectful community conversations about the sensitive, often controversial issues of racism and social injustice. The Center will fall under the purview of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

“The very recent protests regarding injustice across our nation have given rise to the College’s decision to engage the broader community by establishing the Center for Equity & Social Justice,” Gates Black said. “This Center will contribute to dismantling systems of racism and social injustice within our communities by acting as a convener to provide ongoing opportunities for education that leads to greater awareness, and for meaningful dialogue that leads to common ground and transformational change. Through these efforts, we will endeavor to understand our differences and recognize our commonalities, all in an effort to build trust and promote greater acceptance and understanding.”