Bloomfield Will Continue Virtual Talks On Racial Justice

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The conversations on racial justice will continue in Bloomfield.

The township plans to continue a series of virtual community discussions about race via Zoom. The next discussions will take place at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15 and Wednesday, July 29, and will be moderated by Councilwomen Jenny Mundell and Wartyna Davis.

According to a news release from township officials:

“These conversations will focus on race and health disparities and the social construction of race and its real-life implications. Guest speakers for the discussions will be Michellene Davis, Esq. Executive Vice President and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer for RWJBarnabas Health on July 15 and Desyra Highsmith, Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Clara Maass Medical Center and Wendy Christensen, PhD, Associate Professor and Assistant Chair, Department of Sociology & Criminal Justice at William Paterson University on July 29.”

To join the meeting on July 15, go to: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82536302214?pwd=SEZ5UjFUTHJYWlF3TGg4ZHUyQlp4Zz09, Password: 148885 or call 1-301-715-8592, Webinar ID: 825 3630 2214. Password: 148885.

To join the meeting on July 29, go to: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81306564492?pwd=N24raGdIMUgxNEF3S3NYQndqWXFRQT09, Password: 386785 or call 1-301-715-8592, Webinar ID: 813 0656 4492. Password: 386785

“Getting the opportunity to listen to both experts and members of the community about all of the different ways that systems in place impact racial inequalities has been invaluable,” Mundell said. “I’m proud of our community for coming together over the last several weeks in solidarity around many of these issues and we plan to take that energy to impact change.”

“The purpose of these community conversations on race is to bring residents together to learn from experts what we can be doing better in Bloomfield in regards to race issues,” Mayor Michael Venezia said. “I believe that each of these conversations has provided us with valuable insight that along with the council, we will use to make meaningful changes in our community.”

• See related article: George Floyd Protest In Bloomfield Is Peaceful, Powerful
• See related article: Juneteenth: Essex County Fights For Better Future, Racial Justice

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