Rowan College To Host Virtual Town Hall On Race Relations

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ — Rowan College at Burlington County and the Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders will host a Facebook Live Town Hall discussion centered on race relations next week.

“I look forward to an open and candid conversation that is a necessary part of the healing and education process,” Burlington County Freeholder Director Felicia Hopson said. “Throughout Burlington County, we have seen many examples of communities standing up to racism in meaningful ways that I know will lead to positive change. This forum is a good step toward beginning that dialogue and opening the communication channels."

Hopson will participate in the panel discussion, which will stream live on the college’s Facebook page at 6 p.m. on June 17. The discussion will also include community leaders, Rowan College at Burlington County faculty and students, as well as law enforcement officials. Questions can be submitted through the comment section of the post, or ahead of time by clicking here.

“The systemic racism that exists throughout the country reveals that it is way past the time to learn our lesson and heal our communities and our nation,” Rowan College at Burlington County President Dr. Michael A. Cioce said. “RCBC provides access to first-generation students, returning adults, low-income students and all of the diverse groups in-between. We need to hear from communities that have historically been marginalized to reach solutions for achieving social justice that have eluded our society for generations.”

Rowan College at Burlington County Trustee Dorion Morgan, an attorney who is also Founder and Pastor of Restoration Station Christian Fellowship in Edgewater Park, will moderate the discussion.

“Many people feel angry, outraged or confused by recent events. And, they have every right to be,” Morgan said. “Some people in power continue to treat people unfairly based on the color of their skin. I hope that our discussion will lead to understanding, empathy and meaningful change in our communities.”

Other panelists include:

• Burlington City Police Chief John Fine, who has been vocal in speaking out against police brutality while supporting protests in his community.
• RCBC Criminal Justice Instructor Dr. Amber Ciccanti, a retired Willingboro Township Police sergeant who serves on the Burlington City Board of Education.
• Criminal Justice students Joseph Diaz and Collin Stewart, each of whom have questioned their career choice in wake of recent events.

Earlier in the day, Cioce will welcome Criminal Justice Instructor Joe Rizzo and Manhoor Zahid, one of the students who nominated him for the Professor of the Year award at the college’s recent graduation for a town hall forum. The college will be dedicating one town hall a month to a conversation about social justice.

“We started these weekly town halls as a way to keep our community connected and address concerns they had about the college’s plans during the pandemic,” Cioce said. “These forums have been an effective way to share positive stories about how the RCBC community responds to unique times and I look forward to sharing more stories about how our community is leading change toward an inclusive and equitable society.”