At WGCU, we believe our stories should be accessible to all. We are aligning our digital platforms with ADA standards. If this content isn’t working, contact
memberservices@wgcu.org or
(239) 590-2500.
Photo Essay: A Conversation on Structural Racism and Implicit Bias
Felicia Watts shares personal stories of facing discrimination during a conversation on structural racism and implicit bias on Saturday at the Collaboratory in Fort Myers. The event was presented by the FutureMakers Coalition and explored attitudes and stereotypes that shape our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner.
Led by Tessa LeSage and Dr. Nicole King-Smith of the FutureMakers Coalition, the group explored attitudes and stereotypes that shape our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner.
The structural racism and implicit bias conversations were launched by FutureMakers in September 2019, and the first day-long event was held in February. The racial tension expressed in the wake of the killing of George Floyd informed Saturday's conversation. Photos and captions by Kinfay Moroti.
The next conversation is July 17, 2020. Click HERE to register.
Note: The Collaboratory followed CDC guidelines in hosting the event.
Kinfay Moroti/Hopeful Images
Tessa LeSage, director of the FutureMakers Coalition, comforts Karen Putman-Watson, during a conversation on structural racism and implicit bias on Saturday at the Collaboratory in Fort Myers. Watson's story of enduring and overcoming years of racism moved many at the event, which was presented by the FutureMakers Coalition and explored attitudes and stereotypes that shape our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner. Watson is the executive director at Our Mother's Home of Southwest Florida.
Kinfay Moroti / Hopeful Images
Tessa LeSage, director of the FutureMakers Coalition, leads a moment of silence before a conversation on structural racism and implicit bias on Saturday at the Collaboratory in Fort Myers. The event was presented by the FutureMakers Coalition and explored attitudes and stereotypes that shape our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner.
Kinfay Moroti / Hopeful Images
Christine Kobie shares her experiences teaching in public schools during a conversation on structural racism and implicit bias on Saturday at the Collaboratory in Fort Myers. The event was presented by the FutureMakers Coalition and explored attitudes and stereotypes that shape our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner.
Kinfay Moroti / Hopeful Images
Michele Hylton-Terry, executive director of the Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency, offers her insight on race relations during a conversation on structural racism and implicit bias on Saturday at the Collaboratory in Fort Myers. The event was presented by the FutureMakers Coalition and explored attitudes and stereotypes that shape our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner.
Kinfay Moroti / Hopeful Images
Amy Guzman, of the Southwest Florida Community Foundation, takes part in a conversation on structural racism and implicit bias on Saturday at the Collaboratory in Fort Myers. The event was presented by the FutureMakers Coalition and explored attitudes and stereotypes that shape our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner.
Kinfay Moroti / Hopeful Images
Nick Montoya, owner of Shiva Yoga Shala, participates in a conversation on structural racism and implicit bias on Saturday at the Collaboratory in Fort Myers. The event was presented by the FutureMakers Coalition and explored attitudes and stereotypes that shape our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner.
Kinfay Moroti / Hopeful Images
Dr. Nicole King-Smith, of NK Enterprise Consulting, LLC, guides a conversation on structural racism and implicit bias on Saturday at the Collaboratory in Fort Myers. The event was presented by the FutureMakers Coalition and explored attitudes and stereotypes that shape our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner.
Kinfay Moroti / Hopeful Images
Melody Bales participates in a conversation on structural racism and implicit bias on Saturday at the Collaboratory in Fort Myers. The event was presented by the FutureMakers Coalition and explored attitudes and stereotypes that shape our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner.
Kinfay Moroti / Hopeful Images
Andre Jackson shares the challenges of unlearning negative stereotypes during a conversation on structural racism and implicit bias on Saturday at the Collaboratory in Fort Myers. The event was presented by the FutureMakers Coalition and explored attitudes and stereotypes that shape our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner.
Kinfay Moroti / Hopeful Images
Pat Dobbins emphasizes the need for tolerance during a conversation on structural racism and implicit bias on Saturday at the Collaboratory in Fort Myers. The event was presented by the FutureMakers Coalition and explored attitudes and stereotypes that shape our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner.
Kinfay Moroti / Hopeful Images
Tessa LeSage, director of the FutureMakers Coalition, guides a conversation on structural racism and implicit bias on Saturday at the Collaboratory in Fort Myers. The event was presented by the FutureMakers Coalition and explored attitudes and stereotypes that shape our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner.
Kinfay Moroti / Hopeful Images
Colleen DePasquale, president and CEO of the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, takes part in a conversation on structural racism and implicit bias on Saturday at the Collaboratory in Fort Myers. The event was presented by the FutureMakers Coalition and explored attitudes and stereotypes that shape our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner.
Kinfay Moroti / Hopeful Images
Felicia Watts shares personal stories of facing discrimination during a conversation on structural racism and implicit bias on Saturday at the Collaboratory in Fort Myers. The event was presented by the FutureMakers Coalition and explored attitudes and stereotypes that shape our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner.
Kinfay Moroti / Hopeful Images
Tessa LeSage, director of the FutureMakers Coalition, guides a conversation on structural racism and implicit bias on Saturday at the Collaboratory in Fort Myers. The event was presented by the FutureMakers Coalition and explored attitudes and stereotypes that shape our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner.
Kinfay Moroti / Hopeful Images
Nick Montoya, owner of Shiva Yoga Shala, listens intently to a story of privilege during a conversation on structural racism and implicit bias on Saturday at the Collaboratory in Fort Myers. The event was presented by the FutureMakers Coalition and explored attitudes and stereotypes that shape our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner.
Kinfay Moroti / Hopeful Images
Karen Putman-Watson, executive director at Our Mother's Home of Southwest Florida, shares accounts of enduring and overcoming years of racism during a conversation on structural racism and implicit bias on Saturday at the Collaboratory in Fort Myers. Watson's story moved many at the event, which was presented by the FutureMakers Coalition and explored attitudes and stereotypes that shape our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner.
Kinfay Moroti / Hopeful Images
Deborah Hopkins takes part in a conversation on structural racism and implicit bias on Saturday at the Collaboratory in Fort Myers. The event was presented by the FutureMakers Coalition and explored attitudes and stereotypes that shape our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner.
President Donald Trump was reported uninjured and other top leaders of the United States were evacuated from an annual dinner of White House correspondents after an unspecified threat. There did not immediately appear to be any injuries, and one law-enforcement official said a shooter opened fire. The Secret Service and other authorities swarmed the banquet hall at the Washington Hilton as guests ducked under tables by the hundreds. "Out of the way, sir!" someone yelled. Others yelled to duck. Some in the crowd reported hearing what they believed to be five to eight shots fired. The banquet hall — where hundreds of prominent journalists, celebrities and national leaders were awaiting Trump's speech — was immediately evacuated.It was not immediately clear what happened.
Florida’s Legislature is set to consider a new congressional map starting Tuesday in Tallahassee, inserting the state in President Donald Trump’s tit-for-tat effort to maintain Republican control of Congress after November’s elections.
Lee County Utilities alerts customers to scheduled water outage and upcoming precautionary Boil Water Notice in parts of North Fort Myers. Interruption due to necessary valve and pipe upgrades.
