Activities Planned in October for Diversity Awareness Month

Longview, TX — The City of Longview Partners in Prevention’s Unity and Diversity Committee (UDC), formerly known as the Race Relations Committee, invites residents to participate in a variety of events as part of Diversity Awareness Month. Activities for the month include: a kickoff during the Unity and Diversity Committee Meeting on Monday, October 1; presence at the Thunder Soul Orchestra on Saturday, October 6; participation in the Texans Against Crime block parties on Tuesday, October 9; the Multicultural Festival on Saturday, October 27; as well as a World Café event on Tolerance. For more information about any of the activities, please contact Partners in Prevention at 903-237-1019 or visit PIP.LongviewTexas.gov.

Kickoff, Monday, October 1:
The Unity and Diversity Committee will kick off activities during the monthly Unity and Diversity meeting on Monday, October 1, at Noon. at the Moeschle Room of the Longview Public Library, 222 W. Cotton St. In addition to regular discussions, the meeting will include a proclamation for Diversity Awareness Month, a reading of the new mission statement and the revealing of the new Unity and Diversity logo. A light lunch will be served. Participation in the meeting is open to the public.

Thunder Soul, October 6:
The UDC will gather at Belcher Center at LeTourneau University on October 6, at 7 p.m. for the viewing of an extraordinary documentary about a funk band from the ‘70s made up of lower income students from the Fifth Ward of Houston, Texas who became world renown under the leadership of their band director Conrad Johnson of Marshall, Texas. The documentary will be followed by Kashmere Stage Band concert.

Texans Against Crime, Tuesday, October 9:
As part of the community-wide Texans Against Crime event sponsored by the Longview Police Department and Partners in Prevention, the Unity and Diversity Committee will attend various parties and pass out information about Unity and Diversity Committee and upcoming events celebrating National Diversity Month.

Multicultural Festival, Saturday, October 27:
The 6th Annual Multicultural Festival is Saturday, October 27, 2012, from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at the Maude Cobb Convention Center, 100 Grand Blvd. Admission to the festival is free. The event promises to be rich with cultural entertainment, exhibits, merchant booths and an array of multicultural cuisine for purchase.

World Café on Tolerance, TBD:
Keeta King, liaison to the Race Relations Committee, said, “The World Café is used across the nation as a way to dialogue about questions that are important to the community. The small group format provides people with a safe way to convey their ideas, connect with diverse perspectives, and share discoveries made through the process.” The event is free, but an RSVP is requested by calling 903-237-1019. The details of the World Café will be released soon.