Facing the Backlash: The South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race Hosts Annual Conversations on Race

Here's a map to Bethany Hall on the Seton Hall Campus where our Conversations on Race will be held on May 13th.

At a time when Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts are under increasing attack across the country, communities like ours—built on a commitment to racial integration and inclusion—must come together to address the challenges ahead. We invite residents to this year’s Conversations on Race, an annual event that has served as a cornerstone for dialogue, learning, and action on racial equity and integration for nearly two decades.

The 2025 event will explore the growing backlash against DEI and its impact on local efforts to build a truly inclusive and integrated community. A panel of local leaders will examine how assaults on racial equity policies are affecting our schools, local governance, and thereby broader community life—and, crucially, what we can do to push forward in the face of resistance.

The featured panelists and moderator include (complete bios are here):

• Lori Brown, Chief Equity, Diversity & Compliance Officer, Seton Hall University
• Dean Dafis, Director - Division of Housing & Community Resources, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and Maplewood Township Committee Member
• Garnet Hall, Assemblywoman, NJ District 28
• Olivia Lewis Chang, Clinical Psychologist and South Orange Township Committee Member
• Kerri Waibel, Director of Data, Planning, Research, and Evaluation in the South Orange/Maplewood School District

The panel will be moderated by

• Robert A. Marchman, Senior Policy Advisor on Diversity and Inclusion at the U.S Securities and Exchange Commission, and a founding trustee of the Community Coalition on Race

Following the panel, attendees will engage in small group, facilitated discussions, providing a space to reflect, share experiences, and develop actionable strategies for reinforcing racial equity efforts in South Orange, Maplewood, and beyond.

“For nearly 20 years, we’ve fostered these conversations because we believe that talking about race is essential to understanding one another, building relationships across racial and cultural divides, and strengthening our community,” said Executive Director Nancy Gagnier. “Now, as DEI initiatives face legislative rollbacks, funding cuts, and public pushback, these discussions are more urgent than ever.”

The Conversations on Race series has taken many forms—from panel discussions and expert speakers to documentary screenings and dramatic reenactments—all with the same goal: to create a safe space where community members can learn, connect, and find solutions.

This event is free and open to all residents. It will be held at Seton Hall University, a contributing partner to the event, at Bethany Hall, Tuesday, May 13^th, 7:30 pm. There is ample parking on campus. Please RSVP here. 

Thanks to our supporting partner for this event, Seton Hall University.