Building bigger tables to engage in dialogue — both comfortable and uncomfortable — builds a stronger community. I am overjoyed with the multiple community programs designed to collaboratively examine important issues.

Recently I joined more than a dozen community members and leaders who gathered at the Maximum Building for “Conversation on Education,” a conversation on the Williamsburg-James City County School Board hosted by school board members Kimberley Hundley and Randy Riffle.

After a presentation that focused on how the board operates, we gathered in a circle for a Q&A period to discuss issues that community members have about the school board, how books are selected for public school libraries and communication channels for resolving conflicts.

Another program, “Race, Religion and Education: the Path Forward,” sponsored by Saint John Baptist Church and the NAACP Religious Affairs Committee, brought together local educational and church leaders to discuss how race, religion and education intersect and how we can move forward. Moderated by Lawrence Gholson, president of the York-James City-Williamsburg branch of the NAACP, the program was attended by more than 60 people who were treated to a tasty dinner and a forum featuring Maureen Lee Elgersman, director of the Bray School Lab, Crystal Lassiter, the Rev. Carlon Lassiter and the Rev. Jeffrey Smith. The forum was so enlightening it’s returning on Oct. 23 by popular demand.

Two other noteworthy community conversations that occurred early this year are the “Commonwealth Conversations,” presented by the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce and The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, and “Let’s Talk Civics” educational series, sponsored by Inner Peace Coalition, NAACP’s political action committee and the Ladies Impacting Professional Systems.

“Commonwealth Conversations” was a five-part series aimed at bringing together influential leaders with the Williamsburg-area business community for dialogue. The session I attended focused on economic growth and development and featured Jason El Koubi, president of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the state economic development authority.

During the “Let’s Talk Civics” educational series, I gained insights about the Virginia General Assembly and role of both delegates and lobbyists in getting legislation passed.

The series provided a blueprint for how to connect with local delegates to get your voice heard. A discussion led by Jackie Glass, a local Virginia delegate, kicked off the series.

There are a myriad of community programs scheduled for this fall including the fifth annual Heal Greater Williamsburg/Heal the Nation Community Day.

This event started in October 2020 as a Colonial Williamsburg rally co-sponsored by Coming to the Table-Historic Triangle and Williamsburg Action.

We joined forces to bring local leaders together to discuss what their organizations were doing to facilitate racial healing during a climate of national social unrest. In 2022, the format and name was changed to make the event more far-reaching, interactive, educational and family-oriented. Additionally, the location changed to James City County to reflect the commitment to serving Greater Williamsburg.

“It’s a relaxing day to bring people together to enjoy family-friendly activities and to participate in community discussions and workshops to provide tools to have civil conversations about racial issues,” said board member Fred Liggin, who will lead a community forum about Jewish and African American collaborations on civil rights issues.

It’s been more than 60 years since Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel stood with the Rev. Martin Luther King to advocate for civil rights to end racial injustices. Heschel once said, “Racism is man’s gravest threat to man — the maximum of hatred for a minimum of reason.”

There’s a seat at the table for you for this courageous conversation! I hope you will join us. When we come together to build a more welcoming and inclusive community, we all win!

Laura D. Hill is the founder and director of Coming to the Table-Historic Triangle, a program of the Virginia Racial Healing Institute. Learn more about her work at www.varacialhealinginstitute.org.