I attended the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s Forum on Diversity & Inclusion Nov. 12 at the Holiday Inn Des Moines-Airport/Conference Center.

It was an eye-opening and enlightening conversation about race and diversity and featured a variety of thought-provoking questions and responses.

The panelists included Des Moines Chief of Police Dana Wingert, Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Thomas Ahart, Drake University associate professor of religion Jennifer Harvey, Interfaith Alliance Executive Director Connie Ryan Terrell and Iowa-Nebraska NAACP President Betty C. Andrews.

One of the most challenging questions came from an audience member who asked the panel to asses the risk for a Ferguson, Mo.-type event happening here in Des Moines. Eyes turned to Chief Wingert, who had been open and candid throughout the discussion, to take on the response.

 

The lesson? Don’t wait until a crisis happens to get to truly know the community.

Watch his response below: