Community Enrichment Dinner 10/21/21 SOLD OUT

Event Sponsors

2021 Community Enrichment Dinner

Thursday, October 21,
5:00 p.m.
Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Center

$60.00 per ticket
$480.00 per table of 8

The Community Enrichment Dinner (CED) has a history of not only supporting the African-American community in Lima but also working to improve relationships in the community showcasing diversity and inclusion. The 2021 dinner will be no different. This year’s theme is “Lima...It Is Not Impossible.” We are partnering with the Civic Center Foundation to bring to Lima the Black Violin Impossible Tour. Using the arts to improve relationships in communities is something going on all around the world and we see Lima engaging in this tradition. The group Black Violin “uses their unique blend of classical and hip-hop music to overcome stereotypes while encouraging people of all ages, races, and economic backgrounds to join together and break down cultural barriers.” The CED will use this important message to help move the community forward to improve relationships and build economic empowerment. The dinner will spotlight people and events in the Greater Lima Region that are working to make this a reality.

Each year we try to give the Community Enrichment Dinner an outcome focus, something that allows the community and those who attend to walk away with a different perspective, something that makes them say, “I didn’t know that.” Every year we work hard to bring back to Lima former African-American residents who have gone on to do amazing things, as well as spotlight some local African-Americans who live and work in our community who are also making a difference. We hope that you visit to see some of Lima’s African-American residents who are doing great work. Many times the public perception of people of different races is framed by stereotypes or preconceived perceptions, but when they get an opportunity to meet someone who may be different, then their opinion or belief can change. Being able to change the perception that people have of African-American residents has always been the goal of the CED.

The dinner was started to show how the community can be “enriched” by recognizing and being appreciative and inclusive of people from other races and backgrounds. The history of the CED is also available for your viewing online, including the many agencies that we have helped, along with the Walter C. Potts Entrepreneur Center, which is the primary agency we support with funding from the Community Enrichment Dinner. The Community Enrichment Dinner spotlights the broad alliances of individuals and groups that reflect the strong idealism of diversity and inclusion found in Greater Lima. All members of the community must feel empowered to be engaged, regardless of their background, as we become so accustomed to separating people, mostly along with the economic and social background. As a change agent in the Greater Lima Community, you can share your vision with everyone, even if that means you will be criticized, often feel dissatisfied, and sometimes even outraged with issues your community faces.

The Community Enrichment Dinner helps fund the Walter C. Potts Foundation which supports the development of minority businesses in Allen County. It also plays a pivotal role in providing local organizations with financial donations since its inaugural event in 2006. The Community Enrichment Dinner attracts a crowd of more than 500 people from all walks of life - individuals, business owners, and managers, politicians, educators, students, and local community organizations. Contact the Lima/Allen County Chamber of Commerce today at 419-222-6045 to become a sponsor of the 2021 Community Enrichment Dinner. The Chamber Foundation, as well as the Walter C. Potts Incubator Technology Center, are 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations, and sponsorship and other donations may be tax-deductible.

Thank you for your support, The Community Enrichment Dinner Steering Committee