One recommendation from the town’s Equity Audit released earlier this year was to take steps to improve inclusion for all Wellesley community members, and now the town is following up on that by scheduling a couple of dialogue sessions in October on this topic.

“A lot of the feedback we got during our focus groups and our community survey was that Wellesley is steeped in tradition and events that are the same year in and year out, and that people do not feel welcome because it’s only targeting a certain population in town and they don’t feel like it’s reflective of their culture and their backgrounds,” said Assistant Executive Director Corey Testa during the Sept. 9 Select Board meeting (see Wellesley Media recording shortly after the 2-hour mark), “And they feel like if it’s expanded, maybe they’d be more likely to engage in the greater community.”

Members of the public are invited to sign up for either an in-person or online facilitated dialogue dubbed “Many Traditions, One Community: A Conversation About Belonging in Wellesley.”

In-person on Monday, Oct. 27. Light refreshments from 6:00-6:30 p.m. and a presentation and dialogue from 6:30-8:30 p.m. (Location upon registration)
Online (via Zoom) on Thursday, Oct. 30. Presentation and dialogue from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

The program comes from the town’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Task Force and Wellesley Civil Discourse Initiative. The same consultant who conducted the Equity Audit will return for these sessions.

Residents, business owners, those who work in Wellesley, and members of Wellesley’s faith communities are invited to take part. Space is limited and registration is slated to close on Oct. 17 at 5pm .

The program is funded through grants from the R.W. Babson Fund, with town staff supporting the events.