Lee County Bar Diversity & Inclusion Committee Presents: Community Inclusion Revolution Seminar

President of the Lee County Bar Association, Mr. Matthew Roepstorff, Esq., warmly opened the seminar with welcoming remarks. He spoke very significantly about using the Lee County Bar Association as a platform to foster conversations amongst the community. He discussed the need to break out of the partisanship divide of discrimination and the need to provide a neutral platform for all creeds and ethnicities, so we can all come together and have a real conversation to figure out how to repair ourselves, to work as a community, and to be able to move forward together.

Ms. Ita M. Neymotin, Esq., Regional Counsel for the Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel, Second District Court of Appeal, spoke of the importance of the Lee County Bar Association Diversity and Inclusion Committee, which was founded by Kelly Fayer, past President of the Lee County Bar Association. Ms. Neymotin spoke of how the Diversity and Inclusion Committee joins us with other community members to help people to see different viewpoints and to unite people, who hold different values and ethnic backgrounds, to work together in harmony. Ms. Neymotin feels that together we can face the problems at hand and foster an inclusive culture to enhance the quality of life for everyone.

Ms. Kelly Fayer, Esq., Founder of the Lee County Bar Diversity and Inclusion Committee, spoke of how she was honored by the support she has received from the Lee County Bar Association, as well as from all the panelists on the Diversity and Inclusion committee. Ms. Fayer gave a special thanks to Ms. Neymotin for being the first chair of the Diversity and Inclusion committee when it was established. She spoke of her appreciation of the panelists, not only for their time that they give but for what they do each and every day to make our community a better place.

Mayor Kevin Anderson, the newly elected Mayor, has a long history of service from being a veteran, to being a School Resource Officer, to being elected to the Fort Myers City Council, as well as serving as chair of a State of Florida Committee of Juvenile Justice. Mayor Anderson spoke to the diversity of people who hold positions of leadership in Fort Myers. He also spoke about affordable housing, homelessness, public housing, and working with the Housing Authority. Currently, the Mayor is putting together three task forces that will come up with solutions that are reasonable, actionable and sustainable.

Mr. Marc Collins, as a Community Philanthropist, has made an impact on such programs as Salus Care, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, American Cancer Society, Gulf Coast Humane Society, Pace Center for Girls, Valerie’s House and the Lee County Bar Association. Mr. Collins spoke of how important racial equality is. Mr. Collins believes we are on the right track but that there are so many avenues of diversity that have not been tapped into yet. However, with the strong leadership that is in the Fort Myers community there are great opportunities to bridge gaps. Mr. Collins discussed the situation of the homeless and presented valuable ideas on how to help improve the housing situation.

Mr. Calvin Martin, Director of Program Advocacy and Inclusion for the Florida Guardian Ad Litem Program, in June of 2020, won the Reunification Hero Award. Mr. Martin spoke about ensuring that our institutions and critical services match our community, as that is how we begin to advance in equity and equality in our community. Mr. Martin spoke in regard to the child welfare system, and discussed the disproportionality of racial groups and low-income families within that system. Mr. Martin also discussed all the different types of biases and how as a community we need to focus on the safety of the child and what is in the best interest of the child.

Ms. Connie Ramos-Williams, Publisher of the Lee County Bar Association’s monthly magazine, moderated the conversation on topics of inclusion that were submitted by business and community leaders. These topics included Veteran issues, ADA issues, cultural issues, and the LGBTQ+ community. She spoke of the need to support the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. She believes we need to be purposeful and intentional in our decisions to ensure inclusion.