Community Conversations: Understanding Racism and the Journey of the Race Equity Task Force

Session 3: The Charge

Salem’s Race Equity Task Force was charged with identifying systemic and institutional racial inequities and, to the best of their ability, recommending potential strategies to help overcome those disparities. Our third interactive dialogue will not only focus on what this journey was like but discuss additional ways the community could work together in addressing disparities. 

Understanding Racism and the Journey of the Race Equity Task Force is designed to be an interactive dialogue with community attendees and the presenter. The overarching goal is to enhance awareness of the phenomenon of racism and the methods and techniques to undo it. Additionally, participants will get a glimpse of what the journey was like for the City of Salem Race Equity Task Force from Chairperson, Shawn A. Newton of Salem, MA.

Community Conversations to be held in-person at The House of the Seven Gables, located at 115 Derby Street, Salem MA 01970

This will be the third of four Community Conversations in this series.

>>REGISTER HERE FOR THIS COMMUNITY CONVERSATION<<

About the Presenter:

Shawn A. Newton has over 25 years of experience in the higher education profession, most recently holding the role of Associate Dean of Students at Suffolk University, serving as the deputy chief student affairs officer. In his previous role at Suffolk, Mr. Newton was responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the Dean of Student’s office as well as the operations for the division of Student Affairs. A major part of his role included working to increase student retention while identifying and responding to students in crisis. Prior to that, Shawn provided leadership and management to the Student Life division while holding the position of Assistant Dean of Students at Salem State University. Serving as a principal advocate for all students and strongly advocating for student-centered institutional planning and policy development. Mr. Newton was appointed as Chairperson by Mayor Kim Driscoll for the City of Salem Race Equity Task Force in Salem, MA. He is a two-year board member at the Plummer Youth Promise, Salem, a three-year board member for 1 Race, newly appointed board member for Spark Share-based out of Boston, MA, Salem 4 All, and St. Jean’s Credit Union. . Currently, he is the President and CEO of Newton Consultancy Group where his firm offers a comprehensive portfolio of professional consulting services including leadership coaching, conflict resolution, private practice psychotherapy and training on diversity, equity, and inclusion just to name a few.