Diversity Expert to Speak About Race Relations

California State University San Bernardino (CSUSB) will host a symposium on race and race relations on Wednesday, April 16th at the university’s Santos Manuel Student Union Events Center. Entitled, “Painting a Social Rainbow for a Better Inland Empire,” this event is co-hosted by the Westside Action Group (WAG) of San Bernardino and CSUSB’s University Diversity Committee and will feature Samuel Betances, a nationally renowned scholar, writer, speaker and activist on issues of diversity. He will deliver the keynote address at 12:15 p.m. Betances, a consultant and professor emeritus of Sociology at Northeastern Illinois University, will speak on the topics of workplace diversity, ethnicity and race relations and educational reform. “The purpose of this symposium is to bring together members of the CSUSB campus and its surrounding communities to provide an opportunity for positive dialogue regarding issues related to race and race relations,” said César Caballero, dean of CSUSB’s John M. Pfau Library and co-chair of the symposium planning committee. “WAG is excited about the symposium,” said Alton Garrett, the group’s president. “The scheduled speakers and participants bode well for an outstanding, informative symposium." He explains, “It will provide valuable insight into racism and perceived racism.” Caballero agreed, saying, “The intent is to create awareness of historical and current race relations so that participants can work together to develop greater levels of understanding and take positive action that would result in improved race relations on campus and the Inland Empire.” Betances says his goal is to help others learn the importance of pulling cultures together as a way of bringing America back to the top – in education, business and society in general. As he puts it, "Our mission is to make America stronger, healthier and freer than when we found her." Each time Betances addresses an audience, he stresses the need to accept and embrace diversity and, as he puts it, “to harness the rainbow,” saying, "It matters less where we are from – what really matters is where we are going.” Following the keynote address, there will be four breakout sessions simultaneously scheduled from 1:15 to 2:15 p.m. Participants may select from; “Education: Dropouts and Discipline,” given by Ray Culberson, director of youth Services for the San Bernardino City Unified School District; “Perceptions and Culture: Health and Unemployment,” presenter to be announced; “Law Enforcement and Crime” led by Ron Cochran, assistant sheriff of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s department and “Residential Segregation: Housing and Education,” presented by Louie Rodriguez, associate professor of CSUSB’s Educational Leadership and Curriculum department and co-director of the Doctorate in Educational Leadership program. The event will be held from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Registration and check-in for the symposium begins at 11 a.m. The event is free and open to the public and includes complimentary parking in Lot D. To register, visit the event website at http://udcsymposium.eventbrite.com.