Andover Diversity Audit Focus Groups To Begin Jan. 19

ANDOVER, MA — Focus groups on the town's "racial climate" will begin Jan. 19, Andover said.

The focus groups with various ethnic groups and other communities in town are part of an effort launched by the town in the summer of 2020 after a town employee was filmed approaching a resident of Dominican descent while she was checking her mail.

The first focus group, Jan. 19 at 6 p.m., will be with Merrimack Valley Black and Brown Voices, a local non-profit started in June 2020 amid nationwide Black Lives Matter protests following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody.

Other focus groups will continue through the end of January, with sessions geared toward town clergy, Philips Academy, youth and six racial and ethnic groups: Chinese, pan-Asian, Black - African American, Black - African immigrant, white and Hispanic. Most groups will be broken into men and women.

"Scheduled to take place during the month of January, this series of virtual conversations will be facilitated by VISIONS, Inc., Andover’s consulting partner in this important work," the town said. "These focus groups will provide an opportunity for those that wish to speak to be heard."

The town also has a survey underway.

"The process is designed to collect information about the racial climate in Andover, including strengths, challenges and desired outcomes as well as to provide a chance for participants to share their experiences, interpersonally, institutionally and culturally in and around these critical matters," the town said about the focus groups."

Some of the focus groups are already full. Additional details and registration forms are available here.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.