Church hosting event on bias, refugee issues

VERMILION — Grace United Methodist Church's diversity committee will host a public educational presentation on Thursday focused on bias and the global refugee crisis. The event, titled Perpetual Bias 101: Definitions and Solutions through the Lens of the Refugee Crisis, is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the church, 13406 W. Lake Road. It's free and open to the public. The featured speaker will be Vickie Gallagher, co-director of Cleveland State University's Center for Refugee & Immigrant Success. Organizers said Gallagher's work focuses on research, advocacy and community engagement related to refugee and immigrant populations. According to the event description, the presentation will explore how implicit and systemic biases shape public perception and policy, particularly in the context of the global refugee crisis. The program will also address how bias affects marginalized communities and discuss ways individuals and organizations can respond. In its announcement, the church's diversity committee said it seeks to create opportunities for education, reflection and conversation on issues of equity and justice. Contact Jim Chapple, the church's diversity committee chair, at 440-225-1547 or chappjw@aol.com.