Aurora continued its ‘Aurora In Black’ month-long series of events for Black History Month by sending Aurora city government employees into schools to inspire youth.
The “Changing the Narrative” mentoring session brought together black male young professionals who work at Aurora City Hall and black male high school students for a candid discussion about race, relationships, and personal responsibility.
“Has race played a factor in your career choice,” a high school junior asked the group of young professionals.
The question opened an hour-long dialogue with the five 20-something employees from the City’s IT Department, Communications Division, and Aurora Police Department.
Switching intermittently from laughter to seriousness, the group discussed several topics that provided an opportunity to share their experiences and expectations. The young professionals shared advice to their near-peers, some of the students took notes on paper and via cell phone while others sat with their chin in their hands and committed every word to memory.
The mentoring session concluded handshakes, fist bumps, and each mentee receiving a copy of the book “Letters to a Young Brother” by Hill Harper.
The group of city government employees of Aurora will return for a second session later this month.
Other “Aurora in Black” events this week include the inaugural meeting of the Aurora African American Heritage Board Thursday, Feb. 17and the Local Legends Play Saturday, Feb. 19 where young students portray leaders in Aurora, including mayor Richard C. Irvin. See the complete schedule at www.aurora-il.org/AuroraInBlack.
—City of Aurora government