The ‘Dinner and Dialogue’ event that took place in the West Wing on a recent Thursday night was a huge success. This is usually called the Black History Month dinner but this year it was changed to Dinner and Dialogue to set a tone of positive, thoughtful discussion.

The turnout was great well before the event even started.

More than 80 people showed up of different ages in different ethnicities and also different members of American International College faculty showed up as well.

The dialogue part of the night began generally, and moved eventually to a good discussion on civil rights. There were five guest panelists who guided the discussion on civil rights.

The first was Anthony Wilson, a civil rights attorney, next Bishop Talbert Swan who is also a part of the Springfield NAACP, David Maynard is the assistant vice president of consolidated accounts Santander bank, Julie Walsh is an associate professor in chair of Department of Political Science and American International College, and Jennifer McNeill of the Black MBA Association.

At the beginning of the event everyone was able to get a plate of food and return to their seats and relax. After all of the panelists were introduced and sat down in the seats the dialogue began. The dialogue began by questions that were wanted to be answered.

After each question each panelist would get their turn to say what their personal answers would be for that specific question. The first question that was asked was what are their thoughts on civil rights. Bishop Talbert Swan had much to say.

“we are not equal until everyone is treated equally,” said Swan.

During the discussion every question that was asked was a little confusing to understand. But as the panelist would answer the questions that people could understand what they were truly saying.

Keshawn Dodds was very happy on the turnout of the event and also was very appreciative of the panelist for the ability to give answers that were easy to understand even if you didn’t understand the question.

Towards the end of the event more and more people from the crowd would give their own options on civil rights as well.