EAST LANSING, Mich. — Last month, the East Lansing Human Relations Commission (HRC) launched a new Coffee & Conversation series aimed at providing a monthly forum for community discussions on topics of diversity and inclusion.
The series was launched in response to feedback from community members at previous organized events and will continue to feature monthly informal conversations around a single-topic issue at rotating East Lansing locations. Topics will be related to human rights issues, such as protected classes, religion, hate crimes, the LGBTQIA+ community, race, disabilities and accessibility, veterans, immigration, incarceration and more. The conversations will be hosted by rotating members of the HRC.
“The HRC is the body tasked with investigating and protecting human rights and dignity within our city. And while every Commissioner is committed to fighting for every right of each of our protected classes, the best way to effectively represent the voice of our community is to meet them where they are and learn from their experiences,” said HRC Chair Talyce Murray. “The Coffee & Conversation Series is our effort to expand the voices at the table, while promoting transparency and accessibility.”
The second session will be a Hate Crimes Edition, which will take place on Sunday, Aug. 18 from 1-3 p.m. at the Espresso Royale at 1500 W. Lake Lansing Road. Additional sessions will be announced on the City’s website calendar, www.cityofeastlansing.com, and social media: https://www.facebook.com/cityofeastlansing and https://twitter.com/CityofEL.