HomeMy Public PortalAboutTOL NR 2020-08-05 Diversity Commission Movie Discussion
Town of Leesburg
News Release
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, August 5, 2020
Media Contact:
Betsy Arnett, Public Information Officer
barnett@leesburgva.gov 703-771-2734
Leesburg Diversity Commission to Host Online Discussion of
Documentary “13th”
Participants are invited to watch movie on their own and join the discussion on
Tuesday, August 18, at 7 p.m. via WebEx.
Leesburg, VA (August 5,
2020) – On Tuesday,
August 18, 2020, at 7 p.m.,
the Leesburg Diversity
Commission will host an
online discussion of Ava
DuVernay’s 2016
documentary, “13th”,
which examines the
history of racial inequality
in the United States and
the mass incarceration of
Black Americans. Participants are invited to watch the movie on their own prior to the
discussion which will take place via WebEx. The movie is available to stream on Netflix or
YouTube (courtesy of Netflix).
“Our goal with the event is to raise awareness of the challenges faced by Black Americans and
other minorities while developing a sense of community among our residents,” Pamela Butler,
chair of the Leesburg Diversity Commission, explains.
The discussion will be facilitated by Tanja Thompson, Susan Talbott, and Denisha Johnson
Hamilton.
Tanja Thompson is the author of What to Expect When You Didn’t Expect Breast Cancer, a TEDx
speaker and coach, and long-time Loudoun community activist. Last year, she moderated the
community forum on the proposed memorials to lynching victims in Loudoun County.
Thompson holds a Master of Science in Human Resource Management and a Bachelor of
Science in Healthcare Administration and is working toward a second graduate degree from
George Mason University’s School of Conflict Analysis and Resolution.
Susan Talbott is a counselor-in-training at Messiah University, working toward certification as a
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Talbott previously had a career in secondary school
administration and is the former Admissions Director for the Loudoun School of Advanced
Studies (formerly the Loudoun School for the Gifted), a private school in Ashburn, Virginia.
Denisha Johnson Hamilton is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who has worked in the
mental health field in Loudoun County for 15 years, both in private practice and as an
outpatient therapist for Loudoun County Mental Health . In 2016, Hamilton was named
Loudoun’s Best Counselor for Kids.
Participation in the online discussion is free, but spaces are limited. Register via Eventbrite at
leesburg-diversity-commission-movie-discussion.eventbrite.com. Once registered, participants
will receive the link to join the discussion.
The mission of the Leesburg Diversity Commission is to foster diversity and inclusion in our
community. In light of the current racial tensions and renewed attention to long-standing
systemic racism, the commission hopes to hold a series of community discussions around these
issues.
For more information, please contact Betsy Arnett, staff liaison to the Diversity Commission, at
barnett@leesburgva.gov.
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