The Princeton Community Democratic Organization (PCDO) has organized a second panel at the Suzanne Patterson Center on Sunday, April 17, 2016.  It follows-up their first panel, which was moderated by Michele Tuck-Ponder last September 20th.  Since the tragic events that have led to the “Black Lives Matter” movement, Princeton also has experienced several incidents that have also contributed to the discussion locally.  Ms. Tuck-Ponder will again take on the mantle of moderator. She is a former Mayor of Princeton -Township, and co-host of Reed & Ponder Cable TV program. The panelists of “Getting beyond Racism Panel II” include 1. Princeton Police Chief Sutter; 2. Michele Minter, Vice Provost for Institutional Equity and Diversity; 3.  Superintendent Steve Cochrane; 4. Mayor Liz Lempert; 5. Carolyn Clarke (Not in Our Town); and 6. Jonette Smart (Past President, NAACP). The concept behind the second panel is to continue dialogue and communication in our town on what has been a difficult topic in the past. This time we are focusing further on those in leadership positions to discuss how their policies and programs are working to get us beyond racism.  The format will begin with a set of stimulating questions from Michele. The second set will come from members of the first panel, and the third set will come from the public on note cards.

The panelists for our first panel were: Rhinold Lamar Ponder, who runs a Facebook page, “Beyond Black and White;” Carlton Branscomb, Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Princeton, and Board Member for the Coalition for Peace Action/Cease Fire NJ; Shirley Satterfield, Former School Guidance Counselor, Historian & Member of Witherspoon Presbyterian Church; Associate Dean Deborah Blanks, former Associate Dean, Princeton University Chapel, Dept. of Religious Life(Retired); Calvin Reed, Staffer to Congresswoman Bonnie Watson-Coleman, who attended Princeton   Schools; Leticia Fraga is Vice-Chair of the Princeton Human Services Commission;  Janet Adelola, Princeton University Student; and Donald Brash, Associate Professor of Historical  Theology, Palmer Theological Seminary.

We’ll have running refreshments throughout.  We expect the evening to be very interesting and very civil, as the first panel was. The Suzanne Patterson Senior Center is located at 45 Stockton Street. The event is free. For further information on the Princeton Community Democratic Organization: https://www.princetondems.org. For questions – contact Scotia: swmacrae@yahoo.com.