Panel Discussion - Virtual Series - May 13, 2021

“Unconscious Bias – Unveiling Racism” – Youth Panel - Students Speak Out and Speak Up –  A Panel Discussion Virtual Series – Sponsored by the SECT Women's Network – Free

May 13, 2021… The Southeastern CT Women’s Network is sponsoring a virtual panel discussion featuring local youth-“Students Speak Out and Speak Up” as part of the Unconscious Bias –Unveiling Racism”series -a free Zoom event on Thursday, May13, 2021from7:00 p.m.to 8:30 p.m.. The panel will be moderated by Kolton Harris, Program Associate at The CT Office of The Arts responsible for the Poetry Out Loud program, Arts Workforce Initiative and COA’s “READI-branded” programs for young creatives.Students from Writer’s Block, Ink and S.T.E.P.S. will be the panelists.

To join the panel discussion please pre-register on this event site. A link to join the discussion will be included in you confirmation email. Free event and open to the public.

Kolton Harris is a creative visionary leader with a demonstrated history of working in the performing arts industry. He is skilled in arts-based nonprofit organizations in executive creative direction, grant writing, arts education, youth development, event management,and facilitation. He is a strong arts and curriculum design professional with a Bachelor's degree focused in English Language and Literature/Letters from Connecticut College. As a multidisciplinary artist (musician, performer, writer, actor, director) hepushes the boundaries of creativity and seeks to innovate the methods of performing arts. His work centers on diversifying representation within arts-based industries and demonstrating the power of the arts to heal, transform and flourish humanity.Also, he sits on the board as Vice President of the Writers Block, Ink –a youth,performing arts non-profit in New London, CT.

Writer’s Block, InK - “To arm young voices with the power of pen and prose, reinforcing teamwork, accountability and responsibility, igniting social change on the page and stage.”This statement is the mission of the Writer’s Block, Ink,a nonprofit youth performing arts organization based in New London that was established in 2003to encourage youth to use writing and performance as tools to address personal and social challenges on the community stage. Writer’s Block students create original productions that explore critical themes and issues.

S.T.E.P.S. Inc.—Striving Toward Empowered Personal Success —S.T.E.P.S. is a non-profit organization based in Groton and guides many teenage girls onto the right path in life. S.T.E.P.S. offers a powerful combination of mentoring, life skills training and other workshops to more than 100 girls in grades 7 to 12 in Southeastern CT. Please join us for an engaging and powerful discussion. This panel is the seventh in a series of monthly panels focusing on unconscious bias. Our next panel on Equity & Inclusion in the Corporate World will be held on June 10th. Free event. Open to the public.To join the panel discussion,pre-register on this event site.

The Network strives to create a dynamic and diverse membership, which promotes powerful, personal, and professional relationships through the advancement and education of its members.