Past Events

Beyond Soul & Salsa
Race & Gender in Election
Transforming Race

At each Beyond Soul and Salsa forum, community representatives meet to discuss different issues and commonalities relevant to both the African-American and Hispanic populations.

Since its inception in June 2005, forums have been held at churches and community centers around the Winston-Salem area to facilitate dialogue between diverse groups of residents. Panelists have included:

City and federal government officials
Community activists
Elected officials
Local religious leaders
Many other local organizations

Forum One at El Cordero De Dios Moravian Church

Topics: Stereotypes and misconceptions in and about the African-American and Hispanic communities

Forum Two at Southside Baptist Church

Topics: Involving African-Americans and Hispanics in local elections, positive police relations, and community activism

Forum Three at the Winston Lake YMCA

Topics: Housing Code enforcement, public housing, and gang prevention

Forum Four at the Emmanuel Baptist Church

Topics: Challenges facing adult and student immigrants in the community

Forum Five at the Salvation Army

Topics: Economic development and small business concerns in the African-American and Hispanic communities

Forum Six at Union Baptist Church

Topics: Various diversity challenges in education

Forum Seven at Sprague Street Recreation Center

Topics: Voter rights, gang prevention, fair housing, and immigration

Forum Eight at Gateway YWCA

Topics: 287 (g) concerning immigration law, the city's neighborhood stabilization program, tax myths, and the results of a survey of Hispanic residents

Forum Nine at Gateway YWCA

Topics: Increasing workplace diversity in the Winston-Salem community

Forum Ten at the Enrichment Center

Topic: Secure Communities