The Albany state University Lois B. Hollis Center for Public Deliberation and Participation will lead a community forum Thursday, April 28 to increase citizen awareness on social equity issues, including fairness, justice and equality. The 6:30 p.m. forum, hosted by the Albany Civil Rights Institute, will be held at 326 W. Whitney Ave.

“Social equity is a pillar in public administration and has been challenging to achieve,” said Veronica Adams-Cooper, Center director.

The forum will highlight the 1965 study, “The Negro Family: The Case for National Action,” commonly referred to as the Moynihan Report. Published during the Civil Rights movement, the controversial and widely criticized study discussed the origins of black poverty. The report was prepared by then Assistant Secretary for the Department of Labor, Daniel Patrick Moynihan. It recommended that the national government take comprehensive and coordinated action to address the social inequities impacting the black community. However, the report was never implemented.

Representatives at Thursday’s forum will provide details regarding the original report and discuss information on future changes and opportunities concerning social equity.

“Over fifty years later, as the nation begins to prepare for the 400-year milestone of the African-American community in 2019, having a new national plan for increasing social equity for this population would be fitting,” Adams-Cooper said. “Citizen participation in realizing such an effort is vital. This community forum provides Albany and Dougherty, Georgia an opportunity to begin thinking about how such a plan would benefit this area.”

A follow-up forum is scheduled for 6 p.m., Wednesday, May 4 at Eula Lovett Hall on the Albany State University campus.