IDEAS INTO ACTION: 4 Intersections of Systemic Racism

Join us Wednesday, July 10, 6:00-7:30 pm as we explore four topics of concern in Charleston that have something in common: systemic racism as a root cause.

Over the month of June and into early July, we are holding four dinners at The Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art in conjunction with its current exhibit CRY JOY PARK—GARDENS OF DARK AND LIGHT by artist Jennifer Wen Ma. Inspired by the history of Charleston, Jennifer's installation dramatically explores the juxtaposition between paradise and oppression. Each dinner focuses on a single area of concern: education, food access, land & affordable housing issues, and reentry from prison into society. Jennifer worked closely with Jessica Boylston of Ideas Into Action to develop the dinner themes and guest list, which include members of Charleston working on these issues.

Now we want to open the conversation to all and share what we have learned!

Tina Singleton, social justice coordinator for YWCA Greater Charleston and coordinator of its frequently sold-out Racial Equity Institute training workshops, will start us off with some eye-opening racial equity concepts and surprising stats from the Avery Institute’s disparity report. Other panelists will include guests from each of the four dinners, who will fill us in on the social justice discussions at each one:

• EDUCATION: LaTisha Vaughn, Director of Networks and Community Engagement, Tricounty Cradle to Career
• LAND & AFFORDABLE HOUSING: Omar Muhammad, Director of Lowcounty Alliance for Model Communities and Eric Jackson, Director of R3, Inc.
• REENTRY FROM PRISON: Tamika Gadsden, Charleston Activist Network, and Karmen Johnson
• FOOD JUSTICE: TBD

Come be a part of Charleston’s conversation and change in this critical area of need!
Please help spread the word: 4intersections.eventbrite.com. Thank you!

RECOMMENDATION: We highly recommend visiting the Halsey’s special CRY JOY PARK—GARDENS OF DARK AND LIGHT exhibition prior to attending our session. It will be available for free viewing until July 6. A paper garden installation by acclaimed artist Jennifer Wen Ma, who served as chief designer of visual and special effects at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics, it explores a yin/yang balance between utopias and dystopias.

PARKING: Parking is available in garages located at 81 St. Philip Street and 34 St. Philip Street

A special thanks to the representatives from the following organizations for their hard work and attending the themed dinners:

Education: Kids On Point, Yo Art!, Charleston Hope, Tricounty Cradle to Career, Charleston County School Board, and Mitchell Elementary

Land: Charleston Moves, Charleston Housing Authority, Center for Heirs Property Preservation, SC Community Loan Fund, Metanoia, Low Country Alliance for Model Communities, Housing for all of Mt. Pleasant, We Build Foundation, R3, Inc, Enough Pie, The Nature Conservancy, and Historic Charleston Foundation

Reentry from Prison: Turning Leaf, Fresh Start, Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, Ninth District Solicitor's Office, Charleston Activist Network, American Civil Liberties Union of South Carolina, Charleston Center

Food Justice: Lowcountry Street Grocery, Grow Food Carolina, Stone Soup Collective, Green Heart Project, Transformation Table, One80 Place