MOORESTOWN, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — A Burlington County town hopes the formation of a race, inclusion and diversity committee will help shape its future for the better.
"As elected officials we need to do more to understand how different people experience life here in Moorestown," said Moorestown Mayor Nicole Gillespie, following the town's first Black Lives Matter march last summer.
On Monday, the town council will begin working on that issue when it discusses the formation of an equity, diversity and and inclusion task force.
"For so long there have been communities in Moorestown that have felt voiceless this committee could be an opportunity to elevate those voices and have their concerns heard," said Councilman Quinton Law.
Concerns continued to grow after several residents discovered mysterious hate speech flyers outside their homes a few years ago. Last year's BLM march was also a pivotal point, according to Deputy Mayor Sue Mammarella.
"We need unity because we need strength, especially during this pandemic. There is a lot of change coming and we'd like to be there ready for future," she said.
The committee will consist of local volunteers, representatives from different minority, religious and cultural groups. Anyone interested can contact Moorestown Town Council.