YWCA Minneapolis It’s Time to Talk: Forums on Race™ Sparks Brave Conversations about Race and Racism

From to police violence, to Minnesota’s record of having some of the worst disparities in the country, issues of race and racism locally and across the country are as palpable as ever. YWCA Minneapolis It’s Time to Talk: Forums on Race^TM is an event that aims to jump-start brave conversations, shed light on how racism impacts us all and be the spark that leads to real, sustaining change.

 More than 1,200 Twin Cities professionals in business, education, arts, advocacy and social services will gather at the Minneapolis Convention Center October 25 at the 16^th Annual It’s Time to Talk: Forums on Race™. This year’s keynote will be presented by Caroline Wanga, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer and Vice President of Human Resources at Target Corporation. Caroline is known for being an authentic leader and cultural catalyst. She leads Target's strategic intent to champion an inclusive society with accountability for inclusive guest experiences, a diverse and inclusive work environment and societal impact.Following the keynote, attendees will participate in small-group, dynamic and thoughtful dialogues about race, moderated by YWCA Minneapolis-trained facilitators. The largest event of its kind in the country, thousands of individuals have attended It’s Time to Talk: Forums on Race since its inception. New this year, participants will have the opportunity to continue the conversation at YWCA Minneapolis’ inaugural, It’s Time to Act!, a four-part forum series beginning in December where participants will hear from experts on nuanced themes, have deeper conversations with peers and work with a cohort to take intentional action steps in their local, work and faith communities.

WHEN:      

Thursday, October 25, 2018, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Welcome, Keynote Presentation12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.   Participant Dialogues

WHERE:

Minneapolis Convention Center1301 Second Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN  55403

PHOTO/INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:          

• Caroline Wanga, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer and Vice President of Human Resources at Target Corp.
• Luz María Frías, YWCA Minneapolis President and CEO
• Rubén Vázquez, YWCA Minneapolis Vice President Racial Justice and Public Policy

WHY:     

At YWCA Minneapolis It’s Time to Talk: Forums on Race, community members will become allies, advocates and friends, working together for racial equality and understanding. YWCA Minneapolis is a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating racism and empowering women and girls. For more than 125 years, we have worked to create opportunities to overcome social injustice, particularly in matters of gender and race. Last year, YWCA Minneapolis served more than 30,000 people in our community through racial justice advocacy and training, early childhood education, girls and youth programming and health and wellness.Media members are invited to film before and/or after the event and during the keynote presentation. Media is welcome to photograph shots of the event, but not make sound recordings during the participant dialogues. All images and recordings can only be used for media stories about It’s Time to Talk: Forums on Race event on October 25, 2018.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Cori MattliYWCA Minneapolis(office) 612-215-4107 (cell) 612-460-1125cmattli@ywcampls.org