A collaboration of the Sharon Racial Equity Alliance and the Sharon Pluralism Network to create opportunities in our community that raise awareness about racism, build understanding, embrace respect between people, and promote racial equity.

The focus of this 3-part series is a listening session, in which Black people who live, learn, visit, or work in Sharon share their experiences of racism here. The pre- and post-sessions are meant to lay the groundwork and provide an opportunity to have a community conversation. There is no requirement that participants attend the pre- or post-sessions in order to attend the listening session. Closed captioning will be provided.

Links to the sessions and additional information will be sent out after you register. For more information: equity.realism@gmail.com.

PRE-SESSION: BUILDING THE GROUNDWORK
Thursday, August 13, 7-9 pm
This session, led by members of Sharon Pluralism Network and Sharon Racial Equity Alliance will lay the groundwork for the next 2 sessions and will focus on:
   · Why NOW is the time to challenge racism and create true and lasting equity and inclusivity, both in the town of Sharon AND the nation. This is particularly true for Black people who have endured a culture of whiteness and Institutionalized racism for centuries.
   ·  How to get the most out of the listening session on August 16th and then process what you have heard.
   ·  Why building personal relationships is so important. After a short video, we will break out into small groups where you will be invited to share with at least one other participant why you have attended and/or your reaction to the video.
   ·  Plans for future opportunities to continue doing the important work of listening, self-education and action (Book Clubs, Ted Talk Discussions. etc.)

MAIN SESSION: LISTENING TO BLACK VOICES
Sunday, August 16, 4-6 pm
This session will be a webinar in which Black people who visit, live, learn, or work in Sharon share their experiences of racism here. This is not a space for discussion. Participants will engage as listeners in this format and will have an opportunity to share during Session 3 - Community Conversation.

POST-SESSION: COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS
Sunday, August 23, 4-6 pm or Monday, August 24 at 11 am-1 pm.
After some introductory framing and remarks, participants will be invited to engage in small group break-out rooms to share the thoughts, feelings and reactions that arose for them during the Listening Session.  The discussions in these break-out rooms will be facilitated by members of Sharon Pluralism Network and Sharon Racial Equity Alliance. We will conclude the session by  providing information on future programming and  explore where we can go from here. Two sessions are being offered so that participants can come on Sunday afternoon OR Monday morning.