Our Conversations on Race event sparked a powerful and thought-provoking evening. The panel tackled the growing national backlash against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) with clarity, urgency, and a deeply local lens. Thank you to everyone who attended, engaged in small-group discussions, and demonstrated that South Orange and Maplewood remain committed to equity, integration, and belonging.

We are especially grateful to Seton Hall University for hosting us and to our moderator and panelists—Robert Marchman, Lori Brown, Dean Dafis, Dr. Olivia Lewis-Chang, Assemblywoman Garnet Hall, and Kerri Waibel—for moving the conversation forward and grounding it in lived experience and local implications.

Together, we heard about:

• Threats to affordable housing and support for seniors and trans youth in our own towns

• Erosion of mental health care and DEI protections across institutions

• Concerns about disinvestment in Black and Brown communities

• Budget cuts and policy rollbacks affecting school integration, inclusive curricula, and safe spaces

The small-group conversations made it clear: our community is ready to take action.

A few of the ideas raised:

• Develop a community-wide DEI commitment statement featuring local institutions (e.g., libraries, schools, town governments, nonprofits)

• Support affinity groups and leadership development, especially those most affected by DEI rollbacks

• Prioritize mental health, empathy-building, and belonging, especially for students and vulnerable groups

• Engage in civic action—writing to elected officials, organizing locally, and voting

• Create practical tools like fact sheets and “5 tips” guides to help individuals have courageous, informed conversations

This is just the beginning. Stay tuned as we develop and share next steps for collective action, and continue to hold space for meaningful dialogue, strategy, and solidarity.