RTRC Archive

Are You Living Color

January 31, 2011 - Jacksonville Public Library

Real Talk… Real Change II—Are You Living Color featured an interactive dialogue with a select panel on a number of issues faced within our community centered around racism and racial
equity. The event was streamed live via Internet radio, attended by over 220 citizens and helped expand the E3 distribution to over 6,000 individuals. The event was lauded as “the most diverse panel dialogue on race ever in northeast Florida” reaching Hispanic/Latino, Asian American, African American, Caucasian, and the Muslim communities directly and all cultures and ethnicities indirectly. Over 18 organizations used the event to promote services, conduct screenings and sign up subscribers to their distribution lists.

Jacksonville, FL - Over 220 guests enjoyed light appetizers and then experienced a "thought provoking and entertaining" dialogue on the current state of racism and prejudice at the Jacksonville Public Library's main branch on Thursday, January 27, 2011. Real Talk...Real Change II: Are YOU Living Color drew people from North Florida and visitors from NC, MD, TX, NM, OH, Canada, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and New Zealand to listen to five diverse individuals discuss awide variety of topics including colorism, classism, inclusion, racism, and other "isms". The dialogue was moderated by Mr. Bill David and Ms. Lisa Buggs and featured questions from the audience during the 2 hour event. The event was historic for E3 as it was the first time televised media covered the event (Fox 30/CBS 47) and the first time national media noted the groups work. (Fox Cable).

To view some of the first video from the event please visit our partner NokturnalEscape.com

RTRC II was the second in a series of dialogue to action events developed by E3 to bring awareness to issues which tend to be overlooked or deflected by cities and larger communities. The first event, Real Talk...Real Change -
Breaking the Cycle of Infant Mortality featured national and local authorities speaking on the role of males in preventing infant mortality. (visit www.youtube.com/user/e3businessgroup for highlights). The event was made possible by its title sponsor Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida and other organizations including CSX Transportation of Jacksonville, Kevin M. Cobbin - Attorney at Law, and JCCI whose reports are used as the basis of the dialogues.

Real Talk...Real ChangeII Moderators Bill David and Lisa Bugs kept the evening flowing smoothly

The evening begin with a reception and exhibitor display for local organizations who work to eliminate disparities or provide services to the public. The 2010 Race Relations Report was distributed by JCCI. Other organizations present included title sponsor Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, the Northeast Healthy Start Coalition, First Coast Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, PTEEZs Gourmet Popcorn, National Association of Black Accountants, Gourmet Punch and More, Sister2Sister Catering, the Jacksonville Chapter of 100 Black Men and the Duval County Health Department. A special live broadcast of the event was done online by P2P Media, LLC through the Internet radio program LifeFullCircleRadio. To hear the complete dialogue of the event please click here.

Panelist Tri Vu makes a strong comment - Tri Vu, Susan Hamilton, Dr. Marita Golden, Rafael Alvarez, and Parvez Ahmed, Ph.D. - Real Talk...Real Change II Panelists

Breaking The Cycle of Infant Mortality

“From the outset of the work undertaken by JCCI’s Infant Mortality Advocacy Task Force, E3 has stepped forward to help galvanize citizens throughout Jacksonville, effectively pulling together a wide range of organizations into a cohesive group that crosses racial lines and has been able to spread an important message to an audience much wider than previously reached.”

Excerpt from JCCI Letter of Commendation; 2009—Real Talk...Real Change I

And so it began two years ago. E3, a chapter of less than 10 concerned entrepreneurs, developed a unique model for raising awareness and encouraging collective action in northeast Florida. Real Talk… Real Change was designed as an interactive event which seeks to raise advocacy. E3 chooses topics for dialogue from reports produced by JCCI (www.jcci.org), an internationally recognized organization for research and analysis . Related companies have found this an excellent outreach tool for key initiatives, campaigns, and introduction of related products and services.

The first Real Talk… Real Change dealt with prevention of infant mortality and had an attendance of over 300 individuals, was viewed over 1100 times online and was followed up by 4 community forums which reached an additional 300 people. A email distribution of over 2000 was developed . Social programs and initiatives around infant mortality saw increases in both inquiries and participation. Over 21 organizations benefited as vendors or sponsorship partners.

Real Talk... Real Change I brought together experts and concerned citizens from around the country. The event received a proclamation from the City of Jacksonville celebrating "Infant Mortality Awareness Day" and held a special event the day before for over 100 youth from local schools and programs including the Mali Vai Washington Kids Foundation who were entertained and educated by former Harlem Globetrotter and motivational speaker Archie Talley. The event entitled "It's All About You" was held at the Museum of Contemporary Art and featured a high energy lecture, basketball tricks and an interactive dialogue by Mr. Talley on why children are important.