Enlarge Patrick Graham (Photo by Lashawnda Becoats)

Posted: June 21st, 2010 Tonya Jameson

Discussing race, ethnicity and equity is one of a community’s most difficult conversations. Emotions and tempers often flare. Or we’re too worried about offending each other to talk candidly. So, we choose not to talk or we place nice and nothing gets done (as in Crossroads' "The Beat Goes On" scenario).

Patrick Graham, president of the Urban Leaugue of the Central Carolinas, hopes State of Ethnic Charlotte, a new community-wide initiative hopes to spur objective discussions and, most importantly, solicit solutions. At its second meeting, set for June 29, community members will meet at the Urban League to discuss how to address the inequities that we're facing.

SOEC is an advocacy initiative based on research detailing disparities in education, economics, health, civil and engagement and social justice across major ethnic groups in the eight-county region. UNC Charlotte's Urban Institute created the report from research of government sources on information that was collected from 2007 to 2009, Graham said.

“Most conversations are driven by emotion,” said Graham. “What we need to do is have the data so that people can see where the gaps are and where the opportunities are. It’s also about changing the community conversation.”

At least 70 people from 30 agencies, attended the first meeting in April. Representatives from Bank of America, service-oriented non-profits, Wells Fargo, elected officials and the Community Building Initiative participated, he said. So far, 40 people have registered for the June 29 meeting.

Janine Davis, founder of Girl Talk, attended the first meeting and says the initiative is important for the community.

“We should want to know what the needs are in our community so we can be better equipped to resolve some of them,” she said. “It won't happen overnight, but identifying what the real needs are is a good start. And it'll force public service agencies to work together to find solutions.”

Along with creating action steps, the coalition will also discuss the contents and writers for a book of detail the issues and proposed solutions, Graham said.

Want to go?

When: 9-11 a.m. June 29

Where: Urban League, 740 West Fifth St.

To register or for more info: Email Meredith Ledford, SOEC Coordinator:  mledford@urbanleaguecc.org

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