DECATUR â Recent violent incidents and retaliatory shootings in Decatur and Springfield have hit close to home for the Rev. Courtney Carson.
His step-nephew and a young man he helped raise were two of the victims. Carson has organized a panel discussion to be held 6 p.m. Friday in the Shilling Auditorium at Richland Community College. The panel will include clergy, community leaders, education and mental health professionals, parents, youth and program leaders from both Springfield and Decatur. The Rev. Cameron Barnes, national youth director for Rainbow Push Coalition, will be the guest speaker.
Carson's hope is that by bringing a variety of organizations together, each with their own way of providing outreach, they can combine forces and make a lasting difference.