Some 75 individuals, representing civic life, business, and nonprofit organizations, attended the YWCA Stand Against Racism at the Jay Heritage Center April 27.

 

Some 75 individuals, representing civic life, business, and nonprofit organizations, attended the YWCA Stand Against Racism at the Jay Heritage Center April 27. The event, co-sponsored by Con Edison’s Westchester not-for-profit Partnership, was one of hundreds organized across the country to raise awareness that racism still exists.

 

The event featured poet, painter, writer, and playwright Iyaba, who performed a portion of his current play “unframed,” produced by Tony Award winner Jane Dubin.

 

Perhaps the most impressive and genuinely inspiring part of the program included readings of original poetry created by the GEMS (Girls Empowered through Meaningful Support); viewers described the afternoon as “emotionally moving.”

 

In attendance were a number of state and local politicians and office holders, as well as members of the Westchester Human Rights Commission and the Black Bar Association. This is the second year that Jay Heritage has hosted this endeavor, and the audience learned more about the center’s ongoing African-American history programs and research.

 

Read more about the GEMS program at www.ywcawpcw.org.