The next four years will be instrumental in shaping the future of our city. That's why it's important to exercise our right to vote in the mayoral runoff election on April 4. By casting our ballots for our local elected officials, we can help further public safety efforts, secure the rights of women and the LGBTQIA+ community, and fight for economic justice for all.

The Chicago Community Conversation held on March 28 brought together a diverse group of community members, congregations, moderators, panelists and candidates to discuss issues that are important to our city, and our community's engagement during the event helped to create a lively and informative discussion.

Katara Washington Patton, author, editor, and publishing consultant, served as moderator and our panelists responded to a previously recorded interview with Chicago mayoral candidate Brandon Johnson. Paul Vallas was invited. He accepted the invitation but declined to participate.

Our panel was made up of Rev. Darren Calhoun, Digital Pastor for Urban Village Church, Calmetta Coleman, Chicago Urban League Chief Operating Officer, Rev. Dr. Elías Ortega, President and Professor of Religion, Ethics, and Leadership at Meadville Lombard Theological Seminary, Carlos Rodriguez, Quad Chair for the Illinois Poor People’s Campaign, and Rossana Rodriguez, 33rd Ward Alderman.

We are committed to promoting equity and justice in our city, and events like these are critical to creating informed and engaged communities.

Thank you to Urban Village Church and Trinity United Church of Christ for cosponsoring this conversation.