Speakers on Oct. 21 include, from left, Michael Barnes, Dr. Kelly Gwaltney, Dr. Patrick Graham and Chief Rodney Monroe

Mayor Pro Tem Michael Barnes invites you to join him and other city leaders on Oct. 21 for a “Community Conversation about Police, Poverty and Education”. Barnes hopes the town-hall-style gathering will produce ways to improve police services and economic mobility.

Police Chief Rodney Monroe, Dr. Patrick Graham of the Urban League of the Central Carolinas and Dr. Kelly Gwaltney with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools will address the group and listen to concerns and ideas.

Barnes organized the event in light of recent events across our country, including Charlotte. A nationwide study on the ability of people to climb out of poverty ranked Charlotte last among America’s 50 biggest metro areas. Charges of racial profiling by police also made headlines here following the shooting death last fall of an unarmed man by a Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer. The police officer awaits trial for voluntary manslaughter.

Barnes says he’d like to leave the Oct. 21 event with at least two action items that the Charlotte community can focus on to improve both police services and economic mobility.

Barnes has a long-standing interest in public safety and economic development, as well as in University City. He served four terms as the District 4 council member representing much of University City. In 2013, voters citywide elected him to an at-large council seat. Barnes chairs the City Council’s Economic Development and Global Competitiveness Committee. He serves on the University City Partners board and is the City Council representative for Charlotte Center City Partners. A former member of the NC Governor’s Crime Commission, Barnes now serves as vice chair of the City Council’s Community Safety Committee.

RSVP and meeting details

The Community Conversation will take place 6:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 21 at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center, 600 E. 4th St., downtown. The event is free and open to the public, but RSVP’s are requested. To make yours, call Alban Burney at 704-336-4947 or email Burney at aburney@charlottenc.gov by 5 pm Monday, Oct. 20.