Andover To Hold Anti-Racism Town Hall July 29

ANDOVER, MA — Andover's public forum on racism in the community will take place July 29, Town Manager Andrew Flanagan told the Select Board, Monday. Flanagan introduced Sobhan "Soap" Namvar, the head of the town's new "Collaborative Support Services" division to the Board, ahead of the forum.

Namvar's new division will include both a wellness and recover office, continuing existing efforts that he runs, and a new diversity, equity and inclusion office under the name Andover DIVERSE. DIVERSE is charged with leading anti-racism efforts in town, though Namvar noted that he could not do so alone.

"This is truly everyone's job," Namvar said. "This is a job we're taking on as a whole community."

The new division will have $145,000 in funding, reallocated from existing resources in the proposed Fiscal Year 2021 budget, Flanagan said. It will have no new full-time employees, though it may contract with outside clinicians.

Namvar shared data on racial disparities at the national level from raceforward.org, as well as individual stories from Andover residents who have faced racial slurs, threats and harassment, and laid out his general plans for the new office. He will work with area organizations, including schools, faith-based institutions and the local NAACP chapter, as well as within the town's government, on both education efforts and pushing equitable policies.

Flanagan said individual action items will come out of the forum July 29 and breakout groups that follow it, but Namvar noted fair housing, lottery opportunities for minority students in neighboring towns, supporting a diverse downtown, and seasonal jobs as areas where progress can be made.

Flanagan and Namvar responded to questions from public commenters, but the public stream cut out due to technical difficulties. Members of the Select Board said they want to support the new division and provide Namvar with the resources he needs.

More information on the forum will be provided by the end of the week, Flanagan said.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.