Call to Action: A Community Project

Call to Action:  Social Justice Initiative

In 1852, Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin was a clarion call to freedom, galvanizing public sentiment for abolition leading up to the Civil War. Stowe inspired action for social justice and demonstrated that one person can make a difference.

In 2011, the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center and U.S Congressman John B. Larson assembled community leaders and activists to discuss current thinking on three key issues: the Achievement Gap, Health Disparities and Economic Inequities. Members of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congressman John B. Larson, Connecticut legislators, policy makers, community activists, students and individuals participated in the Call to Action forum on June 10, 2011. The goal was to create a blueprint for how a community can come together to effect positive change. The steps were recorded; further community discussions were held during the ensuing year.

On May 2, 2012,  Hartford Mayor Pedro E. Segarra, Congressman John B. Larson, Stowe Center Executive Director Katherine D. Kane and additional community leaders announced a new initiative to address the achievement gap and inequalities in healthcare and the economy. Participating in the announcement were: Brandon McGee (Urban Alliance); Sam Hamilton (Hartford Economic Development Corporation); Patricia Baker (Connecticut Health Foundation);  Amanda Roy (Stowe Center); Janice Flemming (Voices of Women of Color); Representative Gary Holder-Winfield; Marichal B. Monts (The Citadel of Love); and Calvin Brown, First Congressional Youth Cabinet. 

First Step: Launch of interactive community website:  http://ourcalltoaction.wordpress.com  to compile community activity and progress in these areas.

Next Steps:The “Name It, Claim It” contest  - open to all students living or attending school in Hartford, to rename this initiative. Details at http://ourcalltoaction.wordpress.com/2012/03/01/trackprogress/

Public Meeting and “Trust” training faciltated by The Purpose Project on May 21.2012.  Open to all interested in participating in solving these issues.  Details TBA.