Community members, educators, students, and organization leaders gathered in the Wilbur Wright cafeteria to share good food and insightful conversation with the goal of learning how to embrace diversity and foster understanding. The 3rd Annual Diversity Dinner was attended by over 75 people of all ages, faiths, and cultures on April 25th.
After enjoying a meal and dessert provided by Chartwells, attendees focused on a presentation by Donna Brumfield, who has facilitated similar events around Chicagoland. Brumfield spoke about the language of bias and how stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination are different yet related elements in bias. The attendees then gathered into small groups to share experiences and discuss questions and scenarios provided by the event organizers.
Brad Hemingway, who grew up in Munster, suggested the program to the School Town of Munster IDEA committee in 2022. The IDEA committee ran with the idea and the dinner was sponsored by the Munster Civic Foundation. “We had programs called South Suburban Diversity Dinners when I lived in Olympia Fields, so when I moved back to Munster, I wanted to get more people engaged with diversity,” Hemingway said. He believes the dinners have had a positive impact on those who attend and share their experiences. “Some of the students have been there for all three dinners, and I think they see it as a great opportunity to learn from community members. Community members have also found it to be a chance to meet other people in town in a safe environment. It can only have a positive outcome.”
The 3rd annual dinner was sponsored by the Munster Civic Foundation and facilitated by the School Town of Munster’s IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Awareness) Committee.
More information is available at www.munster.us/parent-resources/idea-team.
