COALITION ON RACE REMEMBERS CHARLES BIBBINS

From the South Orange Maplewood Coalition on Race:

We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our most passionate supporters, Charlie Bibbins.

Many of you will remember him as one of the Coalition’s and the community’s greatest champions. He put time and effort into the Coalition mission from its inception. Charlie was a charter Trustee, an active member of the Neighborhoods and Civic Life Committee, and a frequent participant at events like Conversations on Race. He was our ‘Celebrating Integration’ annual dinner honoree in 2012 where spoke so eloquently on behalf of the Coalition’s efforts to build a truly inclusive community.

In his speech he said how proud he was to be part of a community in which “our two governing bodies took changing demographics seriously and looked for ways to openly celebrate diversity. The town governments jointly funded the Racial Balance Task Force, now the Community Coalition on Race, which was comprised of an interracial mix of active local residents.” He put special emphasis that night on the importance of continuing the work—of working toward equity for all students in our schools, of building connections between residents through neighborhood associations, of “holding many programs for residents to discuss race from a variety of aspects.”

More HERE.