October 18, 2007 marked the launching of ERASE Racism's new series, Race and Racism Dialogues . Approximately 200 people attended the forum, which took place at the Jacob D. Fuschberg Law Center at Touro College . The featured speaker was Professor john a. powell, internationally recognized authority in the areas of civil rights, civil liberties, and issues relating to race, ethnicity, poverty and the law. He is the executive director of the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity at Ohio State University . He also holds the Williams Chair in Civil Rights and Civil Liberties at the Moritz College of Law.

Professor powell spoke about Race and Racism: Its Impact on Our Institutions and Daily Lives. Some of the topics discussed included, institutional and structural racism, Housing and Education, Race and Class, Integration, Framing, Color-Blind and Color-Conscious Racism, and How to Talk About Race. The high level of interest and concern among participants sparked numerous questions which Professor powell thoughtfully responded to in depth.

A rich dialogue ensued also at the luncheon that followed. Here, leaders from nearly 60 institutions across Long Island were able to dialogue more intimately with Professor powell and with each other about creating sustainable change and moving toward a more transformative agenda.

Please click on the links to view john powell's presentation and handouts.