Florida A&M University News July 7, 2016 The Longest Table Brings FAMU and Community Leaders Together Community members gathered at the home of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) President Elmira Mangum, Ph.D., to enjoy dinner and dialogue while hosting the University's The Longest Table dinner on June 26. After last year's inaugural event brought more than 400 guests together to build and strengthen relationships, The Longest table was named a Knights Cities Challenge winner by the John S. and James L. Knight foundation securing $57, 250 from the foundation. This year, event founders challenged members of the Tallahassee community to host their own discussions city-wide to allow more people to join in on the conversation to help break down racial, cultural, economic, and other social barriers in the community. The Office of the President invited guests from various backgrounds and neighborhoods to the dinner, including school administrators, local religious leaders, a real estate professional, high school student, architect, business owner, and IT professional. Participating in event was so important to President Mangum, that although a schedule conflict prevented her from attending, she insisted that her home be opened to the community. "The University is honored to serve as one of several hosts of The Longest Table," said President Mangum. "I believe that participating in this event was important for FAMU and Tallahassee in assisting us in our efforts to progress as a community. To provide transformational leadership, you have to make a continuous effort to engage in dialogue with diverse people. You never know who will help spark a great idea." Through event hosts, English professor Joe Ann Houston, Ph.D., and Executive Assistant to the President Jacqueline Hightower, Dr. Mangum was able to interact with guests remotely bringing greetings and updates with text messages. Many great ideas that would benefit University students and Tallahassee residents were discussed. Topics ranging from educational reform to civic engagement were all brought to the table. Rita Brown, director of the Brownsville Preparatory Institute, said conversations such as those that took place during The Longest Table have the power to transform the Tallahassee community, but only if they are followed by action. "If we make a difference where it counts, a lot of things will be different in our communities," Brown said. "Our communities need resources to teach a myriad of things that will help us sustain, but it can't just stop with a conversation." Brown added, "These conversations are great, but what are we actually doing? We have to actually get out and do the work to make these conversations mean anything." SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 404-978-2118 (office) 404-702-5854 (cell) 404-577-5158 (fax) Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/hbculibraryalliance1/ Check out "PULSE!" The HBCU Library Alliance's News Source! - https://hbculibraryalliance.wordpress.com/ 7th Biennial Membership Meeting: Register here http://hbculibraries.org/html/2016meeting-form.html for the October 10,11 Membership Meeting in Atlanta. [Sized Coming Soon]NEW DIGS!!!! The HBCU Library Alliance is relocating to the Atlanta University Center Woodruff Library. Transition process is near completion. Stay tuned!!! Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library 111 James P. Brawley Drive SW Atlanta, GA 30314-4207 www.auctr.edu Honor the ancestors, honor the children.