My fellow Board members of The Harriet Tubman Center for Justice and Peace and I thank you for your words, for your presence, for your listening, for your willingness to engage in the challenging task of planned change witnessed at the Town Hall/Listening event convened at the NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center, Auburn, NY this afternoon, Saturday, June 27th.

Our colleagues at the Auburn/Cayuga branch of the NAACP, along with other social justice organizations, private businesses and activists, join with the HTCJP. We {and the newly formed embryonic "social justice task force"} understand the task ahead will require difficult conversations as we seek measurable change with a timetable for action that can be evaluated.

We must dissect and analyze organizational/institutional/non-profit agency/corporate words, mission statements or proposed actions that may be deficit in its intent to achieve real institutional change.

Inspiration and aspiration is no longer enough.

Meaningful action is required.

Difficult conversations will happen.

People may have to confront long held assumptions that have relegated some folks to the side of the road to look at opportunities and not have a place at the table of equity in economic, educational and the full range of social interactions. However, as a community, we have the ability to make planned change a reality. Action not words. You helped fuel that action this afternoon. Thank you. Your words and your presence was and will continue to be empowering.

In appreciation,

bill berry, jr., chair, Harriet Tubman Center for Justice and Peace Board of Directors