Encore - Embracing Our Diversity: Coming Together Against Bias

Recorded on 10/29/2020 at the East Brunswick Public Libray “Embracing Our Diversity: Coming Together Against Bias,” a virtual  community dialogue moderated by Nancy Kranich of Rutgers University will  take place from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 29. Co-sponsored by East Brunswick Hadassah, EBPL and the East Brunswick  Human Relations Council, the program aims to initiate a dialogue among  the townships’ diverse communities and generate ideas for embracing  diversity, building bridges and combating bias. Panelists include East Brunswick residents Neven Abdo, the Rev.  Khristi Lauren Adams, Neha Avadhani, Susanna Chiu, Kamlu Gulrajani, Dan  Rozett and Muhammad K. Hashmi. Mayor Brad Cohen will deliver a welcome. Kranich is a lecturer at the Rutgers University School of  Communication and Information where she teaches community engagement and  other courses.  She also serves as Special Projects Librarian for the  Rutgers University Libraries and served as American Library Association  president 2000 to 2001. She trained as a public innovator with the  Harwood Institute for Public Innovation and as a convener and moderator  for deliberative public forums, and serves on the board of the National  Issues Forums Institute, as a Library Ambassador for the Harwood  Institute, and as co-leader of the US-Russia Dialogue on the Civic Role  of Libraries in the 21st Century. With 650 members, East Brunswick Hadassah focuses on connecting and  empowering Jewish women to effect change. The organization works to  advance health and well-being, advocate for women, and build community  in the United States, Israel, and around the world. The local chapter  connects with the local and wider community through educational and  social programs, community service and fundraising events. The East Brunswick Human Relations Council promotes communication,  respect, and understanding among the diverse members of the broader East  Brunswick community. The Council’s activities include civic programs to  celebrate diversity, educational and social programs to encourage  communication and understanding, and programs to address the causes,  impact, and prevention of bias-related incidents. The East Brunswick Public Library’s mission is to provide free, open and  equitable access to information, and to serve all members of our  vibrant and diverse community with respect and dignity. As meaningful  conversations about racism and injustice are happening all across the  country, EBPL commits to supporting and facilitating these  conversations, and to providing the tools and resources to help further  this important dialogue.