SPENCER - The widow of an Indian immigrant engineer slain in a hate crime will be among four panelists at a screening in Spencer of "Do We Belong," a short documentary about the killing.
Sumaya Dumala will join Jay Dalhauser, founder of The Bridge of Storm Lake; Francesca Yu, a Filipino health care professional working in Spencer; and Tina Shaw of the Iowa Department of Human Rights on June 11 at Spencer Community Theatre to share thoughts and answer audience questions about the successes, challenges and realities of diversity in the region and nation.
The screening and panel discussion begins at 5:30 p.m. The event is free and everyone is welcome.
"This is another example of the strong cultural offerings available here in our region," said Kiley Miller, President & CEO of the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation. "People who love documentaries, who are interested in diversity and inclusion, or who just enjoy a good intellectual conversation should come out."
Srinivas Kuchibhotla, Dumala's husband, was shot to death in February 2017 in Olathe, Kan., by a gunman who mistakenly believed the engineer and his friend were from Iran.
The couple had previously lived in Cedar Rapids. That led to Dumala's relationship with Sarika Bhakta, a Certified Diversity Executive and founder of Nikeya Diversity Consulting.
Bhakta arranged the screening and will moderate the panel discussion.
"Meet Diversity's Friends" filling up fast
The next day, June 12, she will help facilitate a pair of workshops for area business people and community leaders under the joint title, "Meet Diversity's Friends: Equity, Inclusion & Engagement." Also instructing the workshops will be Anthony Arrington and Karl Cassell of Top RANK Executive Recruiting in Cedar Rapids.
Very few seats remain for the morning session for executives and senior leaders. Approximately 10 seats are available for the afternoon session for team members. To RSVP for the workshops, email akragelund@lakescorridor.com.
"We've been pleased by the demand for this training," Miller said. "We expect a full house.
"I expect similar interest in the screening of 'Do We Belong.' My experience is that the people of Northwest Iowa like to engage in interesting topics."
