Solano College event spreads message of peace to community – Vallejo Times

Dozens of names were called out Tuesday night at the beginning of the Solano Community College Peace Summit.

The names were of the participants' loved ones who have died -- some due to violence. They were remembered during a libation ceremony, a West African ceremony, led by Jeri Marshall, one of the event speakers.

"It's important (to have the summit) because we need to bring solution to the issue," said Karen McCord, the college psychology and ethnic studies professor.

The summit featured speakers with messages of spreading peace and positive attitudes into the community.

"These are things they can implement themselves," McCord said. "They become the peace ambassadors. The message is contagious."

She said members of the college are no stranger to violence. Most recently, a psychology student, Ashley Mills, was shot to death in her Vallejo home in September. Mills was also six-months pregnant with twins.

A recent grant from Kaiser Permanente will also allow the college to have free regular Peace Training program for community members, designed specifically for Vallejo, McCord said.

The first part of the training is from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the college, 545 Columbus Parkway. It's titled "Understanding Hate-Motivated Behavior and Building a Foundation for Peace."

For more information, contact McCord at 564-7000, ext. 4428, or email karen.mccord@solano.edu.

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