Got ideas about how to dismantle racism? Lexington group hosting 3 virtual town halls
A city commission tasked with making recommendations to address racial inequalities in Lexington will hold three virtual town hall meetings to get more public input.
Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton’s Commission for Racial Injustice and Equality will host the meetings from 6:30-8 p.m. beginning Tuesday, July 28. The other town halls will be Thursday, July 30, and Tuesday, Aug. 4.
Each of the meetings will focus on different topics:
July 28: Racial Equality and Education and Economic Opportunity
July 30: Health Disparities
Aug. 4: Housing and Gentrification and Law Enforcement, Justice and Accountability
The virtual town halls will be hosted by Renee Shaw, public affairs managing producer and host at Kentucky Educational Television. The public may submit questions or comments, via email, to TownHall@lexingtonky.gov. The questions and comments will be part of the commission’s discussions as it prepares for its final report and recommendations due in August.
The commission is examining racial inequalities in education and economic opportunities, health care, housing and gentrification, law enforcement and criminal justice.
The work is being led by commission co-chairs Roszalyn Akins and Dr. Gerald Smith.
“We welcome anecdotal experiences as a means of identifying specific problems, general issues, and possible resolutions for change,” said Akins and Smith. “Our main goal is to ascertain additional suggestions for dismantling systemic racism in Lexington.”
Each meeting will be broadcast live on the Commission for Racial Justice and Equality YouTube Channel. A link can be found on the city’s website at www.lexingtonky.gov.
