Hope marches on, virtually, Saturday at Shiloh Baptist Church's 10th annual prison awareness gathering
New London — The nation may seem more divided than ever on issues of race and justice, but Winston Taylor, organizer of this Saturday's 10th annual Community Prison Awareness and Prevention gathering, has seen progress, locally, in the decade since Shiloh Baptist Church has been hosting the event.
Some of the young people who were part of the program in the early years are contributing to the community in meaningful ways, according to Taylor, and some of the formerly incarcerated people Shiloh's prison ministry has worked with are married, have jobs or are attending college.
"We may not like what's going on in Washington, but we've been building community in the New London and Norwich area," said Taylor, known as Brother Winston within the church community, by phone Tuesday morning. "We're moving forward and doing "good trouble."
The "good trouble" reference to the words and civil rights work of the late U.S. Representative John Lewis is apropos to the theme of this year' gathering, which will be held virtually, from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday: "Everyone Counts – Utilizing Our Voices and Voting Power for Justice." The topic applies to local and national elections and the U.S. Census.
"It's going to be different because it's virtual, but I think we're going to have enough inspiration that people who register will find it rewarding," said Taylor.
The organizers plan to reflect on the history of the prison ministry gathering through a video presentation, formulate actions for social and racial justice reform and continue to build healing and understanding within the community.
New London Mayor Michael Passero will open the program at 9 a.m. with a greeting and proclamation. Department of Children and Families Commissioner Vannessa L. Dorantes, the first African American woman to hold the position at the state's child welfare agency, will give opening remarks.
From 9:30 to 11 a.m., Tamara Hall will moderate a panel discussion on "Why my vote counts," with Rashelle Litchmore, assistant professor of human development at Connecticut College, Supervisory Assistant State's Attorney Paul J. Narducci, State Representative Anthony Nolan, D-New London, Anderson Curtis, a community activist from New Haven, and JoJo Carter, a student at St. Bernard High School.
The discussion will deal with the multi-layered issues people of color are facing, including COVID-19 and voting issues, centering on how the community can work toward healing and understanding. Questions from the virtual audience will follow.
Daryl McGraw, co-chair of the state's Police Transparency and Accountability task force and founder of Formerly Inc, a criminal justice consulting firm staffed by formerly incarcerated individuals, will deliver a motivational address.
Shiloh's Bebe Norman will present five people with community service awards for their tireless work, often behind the scenes, for the prison ministry and community. The honorees are JoAnn Miller, Wanda Short, Ralph Hightower, Stephane Browder and Solomon Hardy.
Taylor will offer closing remarks, followed by remarks and prayer by Shiloh's senior pastor, Bishop Benjamin K. Watts.
To register, to go https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_854w10O4RWiPfosmQqXo9g, email Taylor at winston_taylor@sbcglobal.net or call him at (860) 889-3292.
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