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Calling All Colors MS Conference
Currently, our Calling All Colors school groups are developing action plans for creating a greater awareness for diversity in their school communities. These plans are being formed in ten high schools and twelve middle schools throughout the lakeshore area. Some examples of these action plans include hosting a cultural fair, celebrating a "Unity Week", and hosting speakers on racism for school assemblies.

In addition, the middle schools are preparing for their fall Calling All Colors conference which will be held Tuesday December 16 at Hope College. The day will be filled with activities providing students opportunities to interact with students from different schools, engage in dialogues about race issues and learn activities from diverse cultures.

November 12 marked the final session of an eight week Institute on Healing Racism, held in partnership with the Holland Area Chamber of Commerce. During the final session, participants created pledges, committing to becoming allies in eliminating racism in their personal and professional lives. Co-facilitating this Institute was Gail Harrison, Executive Director of the Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance and Roberto Jara, Executive Director of Latin Americans United for Progress. Below are a few comments and photographs from participants:

"I learned involvement in the community and advocacy is critical to break down the walls that hate built by racism."

"My behavior has changed, as I am more conscious of aversive racism in myself and that I need to stand up against it when I encounter situations were minorities are being discriminated."

"I had an 'Ah-Ha!' moment; Racism will not change unless white people stand and say it must stop."

The Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance will be offering a 12-week course in beginner's conversational Spanish this winter, starting in January on Tuesdays from 3-5pm.

In this Issue:

... Programming Update

... Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

... Gail's Corner

... "How the Diversity Alliance has most impacted you."
... Thank you to Mass Mailing Volunteers
... Community Events Calendar

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Gail's Corner

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Last month we asked our readership to share with us a statement responding to the question, "How has the Diversity Alliance impacted you the most?"

Reading each statements from those who submitted was a treat. I graciously thank those who took the time to share in their own words how the work of the Diversity Alliance has made an impact.

Out of the many, we have complied the collage below.

Soon we will celebrate LEDA’s tenth year as a
staffed organization. At this pivotal point, we are
reflecting upon all the impacts, small and large, made
possible by our programming.

We also reflect gratefully upon all the gifts, small and
large, that make possible our programming and the 
growth of the organization.

Through both prosperous times and times of hardship,
we have stood together and declared the importance of
diversity and inclusion.

As we move forward, we hope you will continue to stand
beside us and support our mission. With your help, there
are many more impacts to be made.

Please consider giving a gift of support through the
various methods listed below.

Thank you,
Gail Harrison, Executive Director

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Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance

P.O. Box 2945

Holland, MI 49422