TOLEDO, Ohio — The YWCA is preparing for its sixth annual social justice conference - Stand Against Racism - which kicks off in just a week.
The YWCA said this event isn't like typical conferences: it's a chance for the community to build bridges to equality. During the event, the community will come together to discuss how to dismantle systemic racism and promote racial equity within the community.
The conference, which takes place on May 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at One Seagate Center, will feature a full day of discussions, including Anthony Ray Hinton as a keynote speaker.
The Vice President and COO of the YWCA of Northwest Ohio Karyn McConnell said she believes it's a task that becomes more affective if we chip away at the issues together. This year's conference will be a combination of insight, experiences and discussion, she said.
McConnell said the event will discuss racial disparities within the justice systems.
"Everybody, whether they know it or not, is affected by someone who has been incarcerated," she said. "People are coming home from prison all the time and they are coming home to Lucas County. So, it can be a neighbor it can be a co-worker it can be someone that your kids hang out with."
McConnell said she hopes the conference will spawn additional productive discussions.
"It's better to understand what they've went through, and how we can help them as they transition back, than to not know," she said. "This conversation kind of opens up the pipeline for other conversations."
Guest speakers at the conference will feature topics including:
- Over-policing of Black and Brown communities
- Wrongful convictions
- Trauma, mental health and stigma
- Pathways to reform
"We deal with populations that are oftentimes underserved, which means they may be overrepresented in the criminal justice system," said McConnell. "If you are dealing with people who are lower income or who are dealing with trauma, then their chances of incarceration are that much higher.
"We know our populations are at risk - our target population - we want to have everything we can surrounding them, so they have the love they need, the support they need, the resources they need to be successful."
For more information, and to purchase tickets, click here.
WATCH MORE FROM WTOL 11