Minneapolis YWCA 8th Annual It's Time to Talk Forums on Race

Hearing Anna Deavere Smith speak at the 2006 It's Time to Talk Forums on Race luncheon was extremely inspirational. Deavere Smith had conducted hundreds of interviews with diverse community members following the aftermath of the L.A. riots, and had the uncanny ability to perfectly impersonate a Korean shop owner or an African American male elder, conveying their incredibly compelling stories through their realistically imitated voices onstage. She was powerful. And helped me realize starkly just how it is that art can be used for social justice.

I trained the next two years to serve as a Racial Justice Facilitator for the YWCA of Minneapolis' annual event, worked to foster real and sometimes, difficult, conversations around those table, and continue to be an avid supporter of the program. For an opportunity to participate in the same, see below for details about this year's It's Time to Talk Forums on Race luncheon or see more information about the YWCA Racial Justice program.

Join us for the 8th annual It's Time to Talk Forums on Race luncheon on Wednesday, October 20, 2010. You will engage in a powerful, facilitated dialogue on race and experience a tool that can expand open dialogue on race relations within your organization.

Event Details

• Wednesday, October 20, 2010
• 11:30am-1:30pm
• Minneapolis Convention Center
• $1000 per table or $100 per individual

Corporations, non-profits organizations, religious groups, schools and more have found participating in It's Time to Talk engaging and profound. 98% say the information from the event was relevant to them and 84% believe their involvement helped them address issues of race and inclusion.

Participating organizations are publicly recognized for their involvement. Organizations can maximize their participation by scheduling the included "Continue the Conversation" dialogue at their home site.

Don't miss the exciting, collective, powerful experience as over 1000 people come together to engage in dynamic, facilitated dialogues about improving race relations in our community!

Event proceeds support the YWCA of Minneapolis' Racial Justice programs: working to build an inclusive community.

Keynote speaker for 2010



Dr. Julianne Malveaux, Economist, Writer, Commentator on Race, Gender, and their Economic Impact

Recognized for her progressive and insightful observations as an economist, author and commentator, Dr. Julianne Malveaux has been described by Dr. Cornel West as "the most iconoclastic public intellectual in the country." Dr. Malveaux's contributions to the public dialogue on issues such as race, culture, gender, and their economic impacts, are shaping public opinion in 21st century America.

Dr. Malveaux is the 15th President of Bennett College for Women and holds a Ph.D. in Economics from MIT.