By Fletcher Word
The Truth Editor
On Thursday, April 30, a Community Dialogue was held at Glenwood Lutheran Church as a number of local elected officials joined community activists in order to promote dialogue and meaningful connectivity between the parties.
Organized by Amelia Gibbon, executive director of Reinvest Toledo and owner of AG’s Sandbox, LLC, which provides coaching, community engagement and project management services, the dialogue’s goal was “about creating space for residents to better understand the roles that impact their daily lives and to begin building relationships rooted in trust and access.”
About 75 people gathered for the dialogue including one state representative, three judges, three city councilmembers, one county commissioners and one school board member along with a representative – David Zavac from Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur’s office.
“The intention is to move beyond surface-level interaction and create space for real exchange where community members feel heard and officials have an opportunity to engage in a more grounded, human way.” said Gibbon prior to the event
The public officials were Councilmembers Erin Kramer, Vanice Williams and Mac Driscoll; Judges Amy stoner of Juvenile Court, Myron Duhart of the Ohio 6th District Court of Appeals, Ian English of Lucas County Common Pleas Court; state Rep. Erika White; Commissioner Lisa Sobecki and Toledo Board of Education member Sheena Barnes.
The community members were divided into 10 tables and the public officials rotated among the tables, joining each one for a 15-minute session in which they were asked three questions: 1. How does your job impact the day-to-day lives of our community; 2. How can community be stakeholders in your work? How can the voices of community be a stakeholder in your work; 3. Each table collectively arrived at one question that reflects their interest.
Captains at each table took notes on the conversations which will be analyzed later.
“We need to meet with those who are influencing policy,” said Gibbon in her opening remarks.
The community members had the opportunity to hear Judge English speak about the success of the Lucas County Adult Treatment Court and how it has reduced recidivism; Councilwoman Williams discuss the way that the Englewood neighborhood is becoming safer; or discuss with Judge Stoner the impact of Supreme Court decisions on reviving racism.
The next step in this Community Dialogue process will be a follow-up meeting on May 12. “We don’t want this to be a one-off conversation,” said Gibbon. The tables’ notes will be examined so that the group can determine how to “collectively continue to impact strategy,” said Gibbon.
The May 12 conference will be at Poco Loco at 6 pm.