Columbia College Chicago Theatre Department alumna Gillian Hastings, a graduate of the BA Program in Acting, is organizing “gRACE: A Graceful Dialogue on Race,” scheduled for August 14-16 at various locations in Chicago’s Washington Park/Hyde Park, Bridgeport, Garfield Park, and Edgewater neighborhoods.

Cherry Steinwender

Presented by Connect-the-Dots, a collective with which Hastings is affiliated, “gRACE” features workshops facilitated by Cherry Steinwender, executive director of the Center for the Healing of Racism in Houston. The weekend also presents  “The gRACE Party,” at which local artists, musicians, and vendors will come together to examine race through the lens of art.

Justin Simien

The event closes with a screening of the film Dear White People, followed with a conversation by the film’s writer/director, Justin Simien.

All events are free. Reservations are recommended.