S.T.A.R.'s first Open Doors discussion on Diversity and Community a huge success

I had the pleasure of attending Open Doors on Thursday night at the Shenandoah Club in downtown Roanoke. The free event, an open discussion on diversity and community held by S.T.A.R., the Spirit of Tolerance & Art in the Region, was an opportunity for Roanokers to talk about what it means to live in our increasingly diverse region.

The discussion was hosted by S.T.A.R. co-founders Rev. Joe Cobb of the Metropolitan Community Church of the Blue Ridge and Jane Rorrer, Coordinator of Recruitment and Diversity Initiatives at Va. Tech's Graduate School.

It was a great discussion attended by a cross section of people from the area. Roanoke Vice-Mayor Dr. David Trinkle and Local Colors Executive Director Peal Fu were in attendance. I had a the chance to talk to both of them afterward. With leaders like these in our community, there may be hope for us yet.

I was asked to do a story for Star City Harbinger, which you can read here.

For the full schedule of upcoming S.T.A.R. events and information about the next two Open Doors discussions, visit the S.T.A.R. site here.