Several area experts spoke on a panel on the topic of racial injustice in America.

The panel featured the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People president for Iowa and Nebraska Betty Andrews, Head of Des Moines’ Selma organization Justyn Lewis, and speaker and advocate for racial justice Heather Jones. Dozens of residents gathered at the Raccoon Valley Bank stage in Adel. Jones tells Raccoon Valley Radio how impactful it is to have open conversations like this, “I think it’s extremely important to bring the community out to allow them to hear from themselves, to listen, to give them resources. You’re building on the mindset, and that’s what’s more important.”

Lewis added that he hopes events like this will open up minds and hearts of everyone, “When we eat together, when we sit down at a table, this is what we’re doing, we’re breaking bread, we’re discussing life’s issues. We’re allowing the divisiveness, the political, and the party affiliation to leave us. Let’s talk about individual experiences that can change people’s lives, keep our livelihoods, and the direction this Country’s going. Just have an open heart, ears to hear, eyes to see, and be willing to see something that’s maybe out of their sphere of influence out of something they normally see in life, and possibly something they disagree with.”

Event organizer Meg Kinney says they’re working on a more interactive event for the end of October.