Ashland is often celebrated as idyllic—a place where many people move to enjoy its beauty and charm. But in a community that is predominantly white, does focusing on racial equity feel like a priority, especially with pressing economic, social, and climate challenges? It’s a fair question—and for many, the answer might be, “Yes, I care, but it’s not something I focus on regularly.”

But what if there’s another way to think about it? If “the front door” represents traditional equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) work, what if there was a “side door” that proved more effective—one that doesn’t exclude understanding the history of where we are?

Join Ashland Together team members Gina DuQuenne, Hillary Larson and Harriet Watson for a lively and engaging discussion that might make you think outside the box when it comes to where we all live.