Behind the Many Faces of White Bear Lake: Initiative seeks to promote conversations about diversity, equity
As school systems in White Bear Lake started to have more conversations concerning diversity and equity, a group of individuals wanted to ensure that adults weren’t left behind.
In 2017, community members noticed the need for adults to stay as informed as students in schools were increasingly studying diversity and equity material. They then started the Many Faces initiative, seeking to tell the stories of those in the community.
Many Faces started by highlighting personal stories and historical research from the area. They held a program on “Original People: Dakota and Ojibwe”; “Changing Traditions: European settlers”; and “Shifting Demographics: Baby Boom and Migration.” They then compiled this series here.
Over time, the group has tackled more complex issues such as implicit bias and identity, power, privilege and discrimination. They also hosted events highlighting different cultures like its program, “What You Always Wanted to Know about Islam and Muslims.”
“We understand that our community is representative of multiple racial backgrounds, ethnic backgrounds, religious backgrounds and political backgrounds. Thus, we are there as an educational tool that expounds upon what our community looks like, feels like, acts like,” said Marcellus Davis, director of equity and engagement of White Bear Lake Area Schools.
Its goal is to welcome people who may have different views and experiences with social justice into a discussion.
“We’re just trying to be a resource and trying to just be a group that’s here for anybody that wants. Everybody’s at a different point on their equity journey and a journey,” said Mahtomedi School Board and Rotary Club member Kevin Donovan.
The initiative collaborates with 15 other community organizations, including the Lakeshore Players theater, Mahtomedi Public Schools, Century College, White Bear Lake Area Historical Society, the school system, Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club.
Since its inception, they’ve hosted several community conversations on race, book series and discussions, and art exhibitions. Coming up in September, they’re hosting a book read and discussion for a collective refugee memoir by Hmong-American writer Kao Kalia Yang.
And while the initiative’s programming has picked up, so has its reach. Following the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May 2020, new faces appeared at the events, leaders said.
“After the death of George Floyd and all of the awakenings that came with that for some folks who weren’t awake … all of a sudden there was a new rush of people who wanted to engage,” said Tara Jebens-Singh, president and CEO of Northeast Youth and Family Services.
Jebens-Singh said that they’ve strived to ensure that their programming pertains to all residents, bringing a diverse array of participants.
“It’s just been amazing how the community comes together, and then you see the links that are missing. When you have something that highlights, especially we believe through art, you see how people are connected in ways that you’d never even thought of before,” said Danielle Cezanne, gallery director of White Bear Center for the Arts.
MANY FACES UPCOMING EVENTS
Community Conversations on Race: Session 3, Lead & Act, Aug. 19, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m, Vadnais Heights Commons, 655 East Cty Rd F, Vadnais Heights, MN 55127
Community Conversations on Race: Session 4, Act, Sept. 23, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., location to be determined
Community Book Read & Author Discussion: “Somewhere in the Unknown World: A Collective Refugee Memoir” by Kao Kalia Yang, Sept. 30, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Mahtomedi High School Chautauqua Fine Arts Center
Pioneer Press