PORT ANGELES — The Multicultural Task Force that was created in the spring of 2002 is reconstituting itself to be a broad-based countywide group focused on how to improve diversity and cultural awareness, said the Rev. Charlie Mays.
The renamed Community Multicultural Alliance would draw members from sectors of the community such as business, tribes and students to discuss diversity and equality issues, Mays said.
“The ‘community’ part is very important because it will not be under any governmental unit,” he said.
Task Force members who wish to continue in the reformed alliance will meet Sept. 15 to adopt bylaws and elect officers, Mays said.
The Task Force previously had operated under only a vague charter from the city, he said.
Endorsements to be sought
Mays said the new alliance also will seek endorsements from local governments.
“I don’t know how wide the community will be but we’re hoping for the whole county. We’d like to get endorsements from the city councils, county and tribal councils,” he said.
Mays said the alliance also is planning to bring actor John Amos to Port Angeles High School’s auditorium on Nov. 11 to perform his one-act play, “Halley’s Comet.”
Amos portrays an 81-year-old man who goes to the same mountaintop where, 75 years before, he had last seen Halley’s Comet.
Then he discusses how things have changed for him as a black man in the United State during that time.