Maryland Humanities Council

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FAQ

Are all Community Conversations linked the MHC’s Special Initiative?
Yes. Community Conversations ties in with MHC’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: Remembrance and Reconciliation special initiative, which encourages Marylanders to explore and address how issues of race affect our daily lives.
How does my group apply to host a Community Conversation?
The first step in the process is to contact MHC using this form. Lydia Woods, MHC’s Coordinator of Grants and Community Outreach, will then contact you to learn more about your ideas for the conversation. She can answer any questions that you may have and will help you with audience issues; work with you to select the Martin Luther King reading for the discussion; and arrange for a trained facilitator for your group. Following the initial discussion session, MHC will also help you to offer additional Community Conversations, if your group is interested.
What are examples of Community Conversations?
Community Conversations can be organized for many different kinds of organizations and groups tackling a variety of issues within their community. Examples include:
  • Two church congregations—one predominantly white, the other predominantly African-American— come together to discuss the dynamics as to why 11 o’clock on Sunday morning has been called “the most segregated hour in America.
  • Community members have different opinions on whether or not a statue commemorating a          slave-holding Confederate officer is appropriate for their town. 
  • An established community of 100 years is experiencing a rapid influx of new neighbors who have  emigrated from a different country.  They want to know how to make their new neighbors feel     welcomed and to include them in the community traditions.
What is our group’s responsibility as a host organization?
The primary responsibility of the participating organization or non-profit group is to provide an appropriate site for the program and to assemble a multi-racial audience for the conversation.
As you think about planning a community conversation, please consider the following:
  • How do you think this community conversation will help you explore ways to resolve racial      differences?Are there particular issues in your community that you feel a Community Conversation can help to address?
  • Who will be the participants for the Community Conversation?
  • Do they represent different racial perspectives in your community?
  • How do you plan to attract this audience?
  • How can the conversation strengthen partnerships within your community?
  • Is the location for the Community Conversation welcoming to all?
Which organizations have already hosted a Community Conversation?
Past host organizations include the Jewish Museum of Maryland, Town of Princess Anne, City Neighbors Charter School, and Washington County Public Library.
Who do I contact for more information?
For additional information, please contact Lydia Woods, MHC’s Coordinator of Grants and Community Outreach. She can be reached at 410-685-0303 or lwoods@mdhc.org.