The Greater Columbia Community Relations Council (CRC) will host a public forum on issues of race relations, diversity and tolerance in the Midlands. The ultimate goal of CRC is to bring all segments of our community together in harmony and goodwill. Recent events in the news and in our community require open dialog and a course of corrective action in this critical time.


The “town hall-type” meeting will be held from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., on Thursday, May 8, at Eau Claire Print Building, 3901 Ensor Avenue. The meeting will have a panel format with representatives from the media, the faith community, law enforcement, neighborhood organizations, civil rights groups, grassroots activism, and a moderator. Each panelist will make a less than 5-minute presentation/commitment on a concern germane to his/her interest and experience. Afterwards, questions will be entertained from the audience.

Confirmed and/or invited panelists include: Lonnie Randolph (Civil Rights Activist), Henry Cleare (Christian Faith Community), Stephen Morrison (Law/School Equity), Bob Coble (Local Government), Cecile Holmes (Journalism), Leo Richardson (Racism and Poverty), Rajarathnam (Raj) Aluri (International Community), Ivan Segura (Hispanic Leadership), Henry Hopkins (Neighborhood Associations), Chaudhry Sadiq or Waleed El-Ansary (Muslim Faith Community) and Daniel Johnson (Law Enforcement—Richland County).

Curtis Wilson of WLTX-TV News 19/WWDM-101.3 FM will moderate the program.