Award-winning writer and anti-racism educator Ali Michael is returning to her hometown of Mt. Lebanon this month for five events focused on building and sustaining a healthy multiracial community. 

A community-wide event, “Building the Beloved Community: How Everyone Can Play Their Part,” is set for 6:30 p.m. on February 20 at Mt. Lebanon High School. The program is sponsored by the Municipality of Mt. Lebanon and Mt. Lebanon School District and open to the public. Masks are required. No tickets or advanced registration required. 

During the event, Michael will share stories from her childhood and her life as a parent, researcher and anti-racism educator. 

“Racial competence is a skills-based competence; it can be learned,” Michael said. “Sustained race inquiry is meant to lead to anti-racist classrooms, positive racial identities, and a restoration of the wholeness of spirit and community that racism undermines.” 

Over her long weekend in Mt. Lebanon, Michael also will meet with K-12 educators, local early childhood educators and local faith-based communities and leaders, organizers said. 

“I am excited that different [parts of the] Mt. Lebanon Community are joining in reflecting on Building The Beloved Community together. This is a sign of our community’s growing commitment to systemic equity and anti-racism work as an avenue to building a more inclusive and just society,” said Rev. Noah Evans, rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Several local churches have joined together to host an event at Bower Hill Presbyterian Church with Michael, “Building a Beloved Community: How the Faith Communities Can Play Their Part.”