The annual community forum on 97.9 The Hill and Chapelboro.com is taking place next week from Monday, December 7 through Friday, December 11. Sponsored by the Orange County Arts Commission, the Orange County Visitor’s Bureau, and UNC Health, this year’s programming promises to continue the tradition of timely and informative conversations centered on the issues that impact our community.
The “For ‘Em (Forum) On The Hill” is a chance to hear constructive discourse from lawmakers, educators, health professionals and local leaders as we navigate the path forward through the end of 2020 into a new decade. Live from the studios of 97.9 The Hill from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, the For ‘Em On The Hill will cover 10 topics over 10 hours – with conversations ranging from public safety and social justice to education and business.
The For ‘Em will also be streamed live on Chapelboro.com or by playing WCHL on a smart device each day from 4-6pm. It will also be made available at Chapelboro.com/ForumOnTheHill and rebroadcast in the future. The list of topics, and participants, is as follows:
MONDAY, DEC. 7
Tourism and Economic Development, 4-5pm
- Including Orange County Commissioner Renee Price, Town of Carrboro Mayor Lydia Lavelle, Orange County Visitors Bureau Executive Director Laurie Paolicelli, and Director of Sales and Marketing of the Carolina Inn Heidi Werner Dawson
Higher Education in Our Community, 5-6pm
- Including UNC Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz and Durham Tech President JB Buxton
TUESDAY, DEC. 8
The Arts in Orange County, 4-5pm
- Including Orange County Arts Commission Executive Director Katie Murray, The ArtsCenter Executive Director Dan Mayer, Director of Chapel Hill Arts & Culture Susan Brown, Poet Laureate of Carrboro Fred Joiner, Local Artist Ginger Wagg, and PlayMakers Company Member Kathryn Hunter-Williams
K-12 Education, 5-6pm
- Including Orange County Schools Board of Education Member Bonnie Hauser, Chapel Hill-Carrboro Board of Education Member Rani Dasi, CHCCS Executive Director of Community Relations Jeff Nash, Public Information & Community Engagement Officer for Orange County Schools Melany Stowe, Executive Director of the Public School Foundation Madeline Blobe, Program Services Manager for the Public School Foundation Nancy Zeman
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 9
Chatham County, 4-5pm
- Including Executive Director at Chatham Outreach Alliance Inc Melissa Driver Beard and Bill Horner of the Chatham News and Record
UNC Athletics, 5-6pm
- Including UNC Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham, Founder of the Center of Sport Business & Analytics Dr. Deborah Stroman, and Local Sportswriter Art Chansky
THURSDAY, DEC. 10
Downtown Chapel Hill and Carrboro, 4-5pm
- Including Town of Chapel Hill Economic Development Director Dwight Bassett, Executive Director at Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership Matt Gladdek, Vice President of External Affairs at The Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro Katie Loovis, and Co-Founder at Carrboro United Zoë Dehmer
Health and Wellness, 5-6pm
- Including Assistant Director for Consumer Policy and Community Engagement at the NC Department of Health and Human Services Michelle Laws, President of UNC Hospitals Janet Hadar, President of Piedmont Health Brian Toomey, Chief Operating Officer for UNC Health Rowell Daniels, Medical Director of the UNC Perinatal Psychiatry Inpatient Unit Dr. Mary Kimmel, and Board Certified Psychiatrist and UNC Professor Dr. Christina Cruz
FRIDAY, DEC. 11
Housing in Our Community, 4-5pm
- Including Community Home Trust Executive Director Kimberly Sanchez, Executive Director of EmPOWERment Delores Bailey, and Sammy Martin of Franklin Street Realty
Public Safety and Social Justice, 5-6pm
Including Orange County Sheriff Charles Blackwood, Town of Chapel Hill Police Chief Chris Blue, Durham County Sheriff Clarence Birkhead, President of the NAACP Anna Richards, and Local Activists Kevin ‘Kaze’ Thomas and Emile Charles
Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.
