A growing group of community members in the Rockford, Illinois area dedicated to eliminating racism and becoming a community where everyone feels valued.
ER815 Board Congratulates New Leadership of Rockford's Police and Fire Departments
Rockford Police Department Chief Carla Redd
Dear Chief Redd,
I want to offer congratulations on behalf of the Board of Directors of Eliminate Racism 815. We were very excited to hear that you were selected as the Chief of the Rockford Police Department.
We know that these are challenging times for police departments all over the country. In Rockford, some of the challenges are: rebuilding trust between the police and the citizens; recruiting and retaining applicants of color and women; and, the especially difficult challenge, of gun violence in the city. Our Board of Directors and our Criminal Justice Action Team are ready to work with and support you in finding solutions to the efforts to resolve these challenges.
Thank you for your determination to lead the Rockford Police Department as we move into the future. The Rockford Police Department, working together with other community organizations and government bodies, can create a community where everyone feels valued and to which everyone wants to belong.
Be assured of our support in your work toward these efforts.
Warmest regards,
Dick Rundall, President
Eliminate Racism 815
Rockford Fire Department Chief Michele Pankow
Dear Chief Pankow,
I would like to offer our congratulations from the Board members of Eliminate Racism 815. We have followed the selection process closely and are happy that you have been chosen as the new chief of the Rockford Fire Department.
I know that you will face many challenges as you move ahead in your new position. One of the most important of these is how to recruit more individuals of color and more women for the openings which occur in the future. Please be assured of our support for you in your new endeavor and that our organization is ready and willing to work with you to find new ways to recruit and retain a more diverse group of applicants.
Warmest regards,
Dick Rundall, President
Eliminate Racism 815
Spread the Word and Join Us!
Plan to join us and encourage others to also. A new Facilitator Training session is planned for Saturday October 2, 2021 from 9am-3pm at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on N. Rockton Ave. No cost and lunch is provided.
Gain new communication skills as we learn how to have difficult conversations with other surrounding topics of race, culture, diversity and equity.
To register or learn more contact Jim Roberts, Chair of the ER815 Relationship Committee at jarob401@aol.com. Deadline to register is September 24, 2021.
Saturday, September 25, 12 noon
(Rain Date: Sunday, September 26)
An Eliminate Racism Picnic
at the Rundall Family Park, 413 Stiles Parkway.
Food and drink and music will be provided.
Book Discussion
Thursday September 30, 2021 6:00 p.m.
Join us by zoom for a discussion of An Indigenous People’s History of United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz. The book challenges the myth of the US and shows how policy against indigenous peoples was colonialist designed.
Please read the book on your own and we will discuss it.
Book discussions are presented in partnership with Rockford Public Library.
Film Discussion
Friday September 10, 2021
6 p.m.
Prejudice & Pride: This film details the creation of the proud “Chicano” identity, as labor leaders organize farm workers as activists push for better education opportunity for Latinos, the inclusion of Latino studies and empowerment in the political process.
The film discussions are presented in partnership with Tony Turner of Conscious Coaching, The Baha’i Community of the Rockford Area, and Rockford Public Library.
