Foundation For Ethnic Understanding

First Interethnic Congressional Staff Dinner

On November 11th, 2004, The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding held its first Interethnic Congressional Staff Dinner in Washington, D.C. Executive Director Lawrence Kopp and Congressional Outreach Director LaKeitha Anderson welcomed key staff members from congressional ethnic offices on the Hill. The Foundation hosted this intimate get together to hear staff members' views on upcoming programs as well as to solicit their advice and feedback on how the Washington, DC office can help improve race relations on the Hill, specifically between ethnic members. In attendance were Joyce Brayboy, the Chief of Staff for Congressman Mel Watt, the Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Mario Lopez, Executive Director of the Congressional Hispanic Conference, and Yelberton Watkins, Chief of Staff for Congressman James Clyburn, the Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus for the 108th Congress.

This was an opportunity for The Foundation to engage in dialogue that will serve as a platform for the DC office in preparing for the 109th Congress. The group discussed various subjects relating to diversity practices, ethnic outreach and programs to help disadvantaged students gain internships to which their more affluent counterparts have traditionally had more access.

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The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding was founded in 1989 by Rabbi Marc Schneier and the late Joseph Papp.
We are committed to the belief that direct, face-to-face, dialogue between leaders of ethnic communities
is the most effective path toward the reduction of bigotry and the promotion of reconciliation and understanding.

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