WXXI Live Forum: Racial Disparities in Rochester

WXXI hosts a televised, virtual forum that examines racial disparities in our community.

The death of Daniel Prude after city police restrained him has brought a national spotlight on racial disparities in local policing and healthcare. Panelists will discuss the root causes of those issues and actions that should be taken to create systemic change. WXXI Live Forum: Racial Disparities in Rochester airs Thursday, October 1 at 8 p.m. on WXXI-TV and AM 1370. It will also stream on WXXINews.org and @WXXINews on Facebook. 

The discussion will be hosted by longtime Rochester broadcaster Norma Holland. Panelists include:

• April Aycock, Ed.D., licensed mental health counselor, and masters-level credentialed alcoholism and substance abuse counselor 
• Simeon Banister, vice president of community programs at the Rochester Area Community Foundation, and member of the Greater Rochester Black Agenda Group
• Natalie Ann Knott, assistant public defender with the Monroe County Public Defender's Office
• Marvin Stepherson, retired Rochester Police Department sergeant, and adjunct professor of criminal justice administration at Roberts Wesleyan College
• Dr. Janice Harbin, DDS, president and CEO, Anthony Jordan Health Center

Community members will have the opportunity to ask panelists questions during the broadcast. Viewers can also submit questions in advance by calling 585-209-3180 or posting them on Twitter/Facebook, tagging @WXXINews. Questions may also be emailed to forum@wxxi.org.

Following the television and radio broadcast, the conversation will continue online until 9:30 via wxxinews.org and @WXXINews on Facebook Live.

This forum will be taped and will reair 10/3 at 5 p.m. and 10/4 at 3 p.m. on WXXI-TV and 10/3 at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. and 10/4 at 6 p.m. on WXXI-WORLD.

More about the host, Norma Holland:
After nearly 24 years as a television reporter and anchor, Norma Holland gave up 2 AM wake-up alarms to join the Digital Hyve, a local digital marketing agency, as its first-ever Director of Community Development. Norma regularly volunteers her time with community organizations and is a board member of the Alzheimer's Association, Bivona Child Advocacy Center, Causewave Community Partners and the Rochester Downtown Development Corporation. She is a sketch comedy writer and performer with Estrofest comedy troupe and swears by strong Latin coffee. Two creams. Two sugars. She is a wife to Matt, mom to Eliana and Leanora and Bear, a lab/pit mix her family adopted earlier this year. 

WXXI Live Forum: Racial Disparities in Rochester is made possible with support from: