Montgomery County Commission to Host Town Hall on Reconciliation on Saturday, Nov. 22 in Silver Spring

For Immediate Release: Friday, October 31, 2025

The Montgomery County Commission on Remembrance and Reconciliation will host a community town hall program at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22, at the Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center, Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus. The Cultural Arts Center is located at 7995 Georgia Ave. in Silver Spring.

Part of the Beyond the Marker series-public programs focused on community-led healing and dialogue-the event will explore the question: "What does reconciliation mean to you?"

The program will include a panel discussion with experts on reconciliation efforts at the local, national, and international levels, followed by breakout sessions where attendees can help shape what reconciliation looks like in Montgomery County-through policy, education, the arts, memorials, community dialogue, and more.

"Reconciliation takes honesty, time, and work," said County Executive Marc Elrich. "We have a painful history in Montgomery County and facing it directly is the only way to build a fairer future. This town hall is an opportunity to listen, learn, and chart a path for action. I appreciate the Commission on Remembrance and Reconciliation for leading this effort, and I encourage residents to join us and help shape and guide our policies, education and engagement efforts, memorials, and everyday conversations."

Panelists will include:

Residents can register for the event at http://bit.ly/48VNxrp

Montgomery County is at a pivotal moment in its racial history. Across the County, individuals, organizations, and communities are taking courageous steps to confront the past, heal old wounds, and build bridges toward unity. This work is happening in quiet conversations, community collaborations, classrooms, and now, through this public forum.

The Montgomery County Commission on Remembrance and Reconciliation is supported by the County's Office of Human Rights.

For more information, email [email protected].

The Commission meets monthly. Meetings are open to the public, and the time and dates of each meeting are published on the Office of Human Rights calendar and on the County calendar.

The Montgomery County Commission on Remembrance and Reconciliation publicly highlights often-overlooked historical events that have had a critical impact on Montgomery County's African American residents and that continue to shape the County today. This includes the Commission's recognition of three men who were victims of racial terror lynchings in the late 19th century. The Commission also encourages and facilitates initiatives that, inspired by this difficult history, seek to understand its legacy and build bridges of reconciliation among many segments of the community.

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