Second Annual Diversity Summit

Needham's Second Annual Diversity Summit, held on October 19th, was an inspiring and energizing event!  It built upon the ongoing conversation that started at last year's Summit and continued the mission of exploring, fostering, strengthening and celebrating Needham's diversity of race, ethnic idnetity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, socioeconomic status, ability, and age.

We are grateful to our presenters who made this event so meaningful: opening remarks by Dr. Daniel Gutekanst (Superintendent, Needham Public Schools); a musical performance by Katani Sumner (educator in the Newton Public Schools as well as a singer/songwriter); an audience discussion following the video Silent Beats facilitated by Dr. Joanne Allen-Willoughby (METCO Director, Needham); panelists Michelle Comma, Sara Orozco, Arvin Raja, and Mark Smith who presented their stories and personal journeys; and keynote speeaker Dr. Abdul Cader Asmal (a retired physician and Needham resident) who spoke about the experience of being Muslim after the Boston Marathon bombing.  We also want to thank Jonathan Bourn (Vice-Principal, NHS), Sujan Talukdar (METCO Director, Brookline), and Tom Campbell (HR Director, Needham Public Schools), facilitators of the break-out sessions which covered a range of topics and discussions, including diversity issues in our town.

In addition, we greatly appreciate the show of support from the Needham organizations that sponsored this event.  They continue to make a daily positive impact on our community!  Thank you to The Charles River Center, Choose To Be Nice, Needham Human Rights Committee, Immigration Task Force, League of Women Voters of Needham, Needham Business Association, Needham Community Education, Needham Education Foundation, Needham Knights of Columbus Council #1611, Needham Public Schools, Revitalization Trust Fund (NCRTF), and the Walker School.

There were also many Needham eateries that showed their support through their generous donations of food and beverages.  We would like to thank Starbucks, Brothers Pizza, Cowlicks Deli, Kosta's Pizza, Needham House of Pizza, Nicholas' Pizzeria, Not Your Average Joes, Stone Hearth Pizza Company, and Town House Pizza.

All of the above individuals, organizations, and eateries helped make this event a true community effort!

We are already looking forward to Needham's Third Annual Diversity Summit to be held in October, 2014, and hope to have the continued participation of those who live and work in our Needham community.  If you are interested in becoming involved with next year's Summit, please contact the Planning Committee at:  NeedhamDiversitySummit@outlook.com

Sincerely yours,
The Needham Diversity Summit Planning Committee