The Mercer Island Teen Advisory board is hosting “Exploring Race & Social Justice: A Conversation” on Saturday, Feb. 28. The Teen Advisory Board wants to provide a space for Mercer Island community members to have a sensitive, yet necessary, conversation about racial and social justice in America.

In the charged atmosphere following the events in Ferguson, Mo., and elsewhere, communities can benefit from open conversations about issues that can divide us, such as racial discrimination, bias and privilege.

The disproportionate number of deaths of minority people, specifically young black men, has revealed how necessary it is for us to confront our nation’s struggle to respect and protect human rights.

In the discussion, guiding questions will address issues ranging from implicit bias to the idea of colorblindness, but our goal is for attendees to drive the conversation by sharing their experiences, expressing their opinions and concerns, or offering new questions.

Please join us at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28 at the Mercer Island Library.  The discussion is free and open to all, and snacks will be provided.

Contact Carrie Bowman, clbowman@kcls.org, or Naomi Moore, naomi.sanyika@gmail.com, for more information.