The Allstate Foundation Sponsors Community Conversations

Prominent scholars, authors, filmmakers, and policy leaders will speak and participate in discussions about civic engagement, individual, collective responsibility, and tolerance.

Facing History and Ourselves in partnership with The Allstate Foundation, an independent charitable organization made possible by The Allstate Corporation, will present a series of community-wide dialogues in several cities across the U.S. Prominent scholars, authors, filmmakers, and policy leaders will speak and participate in discussions about civic engagement, individual, collective responsibility, and tolerance.

The first two "Community Conversations" took place this spring in Maplewood, New Jersey and Cleveland, Ohio. These featured award-winning filmmakers Marco Williams and Whitney Dow and their new film about race relations in a school in Buffalo, N.Y., called, I Sit Where I Want: The Legacy of Brown v. Board of Education. The one-hour documentary follows a racially diverse group of high school students as they attempt to integrate their lunchroom. Williams and Dow are scheduled to speak at two more events this fall.

Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager in Rwanda who courageously sheltered more than 1,200 refugees from certain death during the Rwandan genocide, will speak in the Bay area in September. The film "Hotel Rwanda" tells his amazing story.

In January 2006, South African Constitutional Court Justice Albie Sachs and his life partner and architect Vanessa September, will speak in six cities across the country. Sachs and September will discuss South Africa's emerging democracy following the fall of apartheid.

All Community Conversations are free and open to the public. If you would like more information about these events, please call Kristen Duffy (617)735-1665, or visit www.facinghistory.org/allstate.

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About Facing History and Ourselves
Facing History and Ourselves is an international educational and professional development organization whose mission is to engage students of diverse backgrounds in an examination of racism, prejudice, and antisemitism in order to promote the development of a more humane and informed citizenry. By studying the historical development lessons of the Holocaust and other examples of genocide, students make the essential connection between history and the moral choices they confront in their own lives.

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About The Allstate Foundation
Established in 1952, The Allstate Foundation is an independent, charitable organization made possible by The Allstate Corporation. The Allstate Foundation sponsors community initiatives to promote "safe and vital communities"; "tolerance, inclusion, and diversity"; and "economic empowerment." The Allstate Foundation believes in the financial potential of every individual and in helping America's families achieve their American dream.