Area school, police and business leaders will join Finger Lakes Community College Chief Diversity Officer Sim Covington Jr. on August 27th for a virtual panel discussion about diversity, equity and inclusion.
The free, public event will run from 6 to 7 p.m. and can be accessed by computer or smartphone via a Zoom link on the FLCC events calendar at events.flcc.edu.
Titled, “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Finger Lakes: Healthy Dialogue and Collective Impact,” the event will provide an opportunity for candid dialogue in the weeks following the death of George Floyd, which fueled the Black Lives Matter movement and related calls to defund police, among other reforms.
“Our discussion will address the national climate, historical context, local influence, and progressive action in support of a peaceful community,” said Covington.
Attendees will have an opportunity to pose questions.
Covington has spoken at several area Black Lives Matter rallies, including two in Canandaigua. His comments have reflected on his experiences relocating to Canandaigua and his experiences as FLCC’s first chief diversity officer.
In addition to Covington, panelists for the Aug. 27 virtual event include Derrick Smith ’09, acting chief of FLCC Campus Police; Canandaigua City Police Chief Stephen Hedworth, Ontario County Sheriff Kevin Henderson ’84; Geneva Police Chief Michael Passalacqua; Caroline Chapman, director of communications for the Canandaigua City School District, and Ethan Fogg ’00, president of the Canandaigua Chamber of Commerce.
For more information about the event, contact the FLCC Community Affairs Office at [email protected] or (585) 785-1623.
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