On Tuesday, Jan 20  Kira Maddox, the director of Community, Belonging & Engagement, hosted a video discussion event where the attendees watched “From Small Town To Inner City: How Americans Navigate their Realities of Racism” in honor of National Day of Racial Healing and Martin Luther King, Jr. 

The short video consisted of many people’s stories throughout life from many different backgrounds, speaking specifically on racism and the diversity that they were exposed to through their lives. 

They also spoke on the importance of diversity and understanding of other cultures. While telling stories about their experiences with inclusion in and outside of their communities, some became emotional. 

After viewing, attendees went on to participate in an activity Maddox called “Looking Beyond The Frame” where attendees put their lives into perspective exchanging unique and common experiences. The main focus of the activity being that walking through life with one point of view limits your understanding and potential. 

The next event, a PioTalk titled “Respect Reset,”  is set to take place on Thursday, Jan. 22 at 6 p.m. in Pioneer Cafe. For more information email Kira Maddox at [email protected] .