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“Diversity Workshops”. Instead of talking about “Black oppression” and “White privilege”,
we softened the language and talked about “What it’s like to be White”, and “What it’s like
to be Black” in Southern Maryland. These workshops grew to more than 20 participants
attending each of six Diversity Workshops over a span of three years.

Central Calvert

As early as 2008, the Community Mediation Center of Calvert (CMCC), along with TRUST
and a number of concerned community members, joined with Robin Truslow, Public
Relations Coordinator of the Calvert Library, to examine the need for more civil discourse in
our communities. They initiated a series of community presentations and discussions,
starting with “Sustainable Calvert”, about the intersection of social, economic and
environmental priorities. CMCC mediators and facilitators, Vicki and Dusty Rhoades,
became the lead facilitators for the ongoing program and provided training for others in the
group who would assist. As initial community events continued, it became clear that there
was always an undercurrent of race in the conversations. The planners honored the need for
discussions regarding race relations and began to focus ongoing conversations on race
beginning with a series of “Voices” events that featured educators, students, black business
leaders, clergy, etc.

Beginning in 2009, the Calvert Library and CMCC formed partnerships with the Maryland
Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR), the Maryland Humanities Council (MHC), St.
Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM) and the College of Southern Maryland (CSM). Large
programs with many community partners resulted, including Facing Fences Southern
Maryland in 2012, exploring race and many other barriers erected in our community. This
project was part of the travelling Smithsonian Museums on Main Street exhibition, Between
Fences, which was designed to encourage local communities to consider the various ways
that fences are experienced. It was held at the Boyden Gallery at St. Mary’s College of
Maryland. More than 1000 people visited the exhibition at the Boyden Gallery and
participated in programs including Listening Circle Discussions. Documentation of Facing
Fences Southern Maryland: Exploring Boundaries that Unite and Divide Us is available
on Amazon.

Another important program was established by MCCR in 2014. CMCC, Calvert Library and
others again partnered with MCCR and MHC to present Defying Definitions. This program
focused on community conversations on race, religion, political issues and sexual
orientation. It drew participants from Calvert, St. Mary’s and Charles Counties in a series of
rich facilitated community conversations. This program used poetry, photography, art and
personal stories to inspire conversation.

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