Hopkinsville has been invited to apply for a national program that will attempt to improve racial equity in seven American cities.

Each of the seven cities selected for the program, called Communities Creating Racial Equity, will receive a $10,000 budget to help pay for activities aimed specifically at racial equity, said Carolyne Abdullah, program director for the Study Circles Resource Center in Pomfret, Conn.

“I think there is a strong desire in trying to dig deeper in this community,” Abdullah said after a meeting Thursday to wrap up Hopkinsville’s first Study Circles effort.

Eight groups of about 10 people each met once a week for six weeks in Study Circles to talk about racial problems in Hopkinsville and Christian County.

During their final meeting Thursday, Abdullah explained why the Study Circles organization asked Hopkinsville to apply for the national program.

Hopkinsville attracted the attention of the national organization because its Study Circles program is tied to a larger effort — the Community Vision Plan created by the Chamber of Commerce and others.

Betsy Shelton, chamber president, contacted the Study Circles Resources Center last spring to look for help in reaching the diversity goals outlined in the Community Vision Plan, said Abdullah.

Thirteen cities are expected to apply for the seven slots, and applications are due by Nov. 13. The selected cities will be announced by Dec. 21. In April, three people from each of the seven cities will gather for a meeting to talk about their cities and what can be done to improve racial equity.

The Study Circles Resource Center intends to gain as much as the cities do from the program, said Abdullah.

“We want to learn as much as the cities learn,” she said.

During Thursday’s final meeting for the first Study Circles effort, several participants said they want to implement more Study Circles in Hopkinsville.

“I just know that something good is going to come out of this,” said Mayor Dan Kemp, pointing to about 40 posters lining the walls of the Memorial Building with ideas about how to achieve racial equity in the city.

Many of the ideas were directed at racial prejudice in local schools. One group suggested ways to increase the number of male minority teachers to serve as role models. More career planning for students was suggested.

More meetings between black and white churches are needed, a group suggested.

Other ideas included:

• Creating a 24-hour shelter at The Salvation Army.

• Having business owners and managers serve as mentors to young people seeking jobs.

• Have every city and county department head and elected official serve in a future Study Circles.

• Finding jobs for convicted felons after they are released from jail.

• Creating a Study Circles for schools.

• Offering more events for black and white residents to enjoy together, such as block parties and concerts.

• Requiring high school students to pass the TABE (Test of Adult Basic Education) before they graduate. Many local factories require job applicants to pass the TABE.

Source:
KY New Era, October 30, 2007
By Jennifer P. Brown, New Era Deputy Editor