DuPage County’s Conversation on Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

About the Program

Category: Arts, Culture and Historic Preservation (Best in Category)

Year: 2021

In May 2020, tensions were high as many took to the streets—some for the first time—to protest racism in America. Taking place amidst the coronavirus epidemic, the impact of the death of George Floyd was felt across the country and beyond. With people watching events unfold in real time, across social media and television, the conversation around racism in America was just beginning for some and becoming even more consequential for others. In DuPage County, local officials, students, and community residents grappled with the difficult topics of equity, inclusion, discrimination, race, and social justice. Elected officials searched for a meaningful action step that would increase understanding and promote positive dialogue.DuPage County’s Unite Against Racism community conversation developed out of these discussions. County Board Chairman Dan Cronin and the leadership of the College of DuPage, Illinois’ largest public community college, partnered on an initiative designed to help both internal and external audiences reflect, share and act. This countywide-effort educates through stories from a personal perspective. It explores and illuminates DuPage County’s history and provides new outlets to engage in meaningful conversations and develop actions to unite against racism. The year-long community conversation and online series kicked off on Sept. 1, 2020. The goal was to keep the conversation local. Spotlights would focus on community members, elected officials, students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Videos and virtual forums utilize a diverse group of speakers to explore how cultural and historical forces have shaped our community, economy, and our attitudes. Blog posts illuminate individual, diverse experiences. The community responded with traditional media coverage reaching 873,489 people and social media engaging 91,520 people. Recordings of discussions, events and interviews will be archived as a living historical record of this unique moment in time.