Racism- it’s a topic that’s been at the forefront of nearly every social justice conversation since August 9, 2014, the day unarmed teen Michael Brown was shot. From the riots subsequent to his death, a very important program blossomed- Gateway 2 Change. This year’s Gateway 2 Change Summit on Race was held at Ritenour High School, and it was an experience.

The new facilitators, Terrell L. Strayhorn and Joe Beckman, were very well liked by the diverse group of students that went, because the students and facilitators both had the same objective in the end- to synthesize different perspectives on race and try their best to make others aware of bias and prejudice.

“It’s amazing to get together with a diverse group of students and have the same goal in mind, to change how society sees all races,” junior Payton Bass says.

Senior Raven Bullard elaborates.

“The main goal this year is to expand the new consciousness or experiences we have regarding race and equality to the entire student body and staff, past just the kids in Race Summit or social justice club,” Bullard says.