People from the Baton Rouge community, representing diverse religious traditions and cultural backgrounds, came together at the 8th Annual Dialogue and Friendship Dinner on November 17, 2011. Those attending heard a variety of informative and inspirational talks provided by well-known community leaders and educators.
Julie Baxter who recently took a trip to Turkey, served as Master of Ceremonies. Julie Baxter recalled her experiences from a recent trip to Turkey in which she had the opportunity to dialog with host families there. Dr. Richard Webb, the former dean of Art and Humanities College of Southern University, provided the history and mission of the organization. Mike Danna, Director of Public Relations and host of the Farm Bureau’s long-running farm news program “This Week in Louisiana Agriculture” expressed his reflections about his recent trip to Turkey. Keynote speaker, Mark Webb, pointed out the importance of knowing one another. “We have created you as separate and different nations, so that you can meet and know each other”; Mark Webb quoted from the Holly Book, Qur’an. A highlight of the evening was the special recognition and presentation of the Atlas Foundation Dialog and Friendship Award to the Advocate, for outstanding service to the community in promoting peace through interfaith and intercultural dialog.