LEWISTON – Joyce Williams, president of the New England Area Conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People will be this month’s Great Falls Forum featured speaker.

Williams will speak Thursday, Oct. 16, at the Muskie Archives on the Bates College Campus. Her talk is titled “Strength Through Diversity.”

Williams was among the thousands who came to embrace diversity in the community in January.

An afternoon of prayer, music and words of welcoming was held to counter a racist hate group’s rally against Somali newcomers. The Many and One Coalition gathering at Bates College drew thousands more than the World Church of the Creator rally. More than 3,000 people jammed into Merrill Gymnasium for the event. Among them, Williams who, at the time, said history showed that America has always been enriched by diversity, but also noted that diversity is freedom’s greatest challenge. She told those attending that people “can’t let those who promote hate dictate our agenda.”

Williams is originally from Flushing, N.Y, and moved to Newport, R.I., where her late husband, the Rev. Robert L. Williams, pastored the Community Baptist Church. She says she cherishes the rich cultural diversity in the United States and is committed to equality and the right to happiness for all. She is the vice chairwoman of the Rhode Island Select Commission on Race and Police-Community Relations which was created by Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Almond in April 2000. Williams also served 12 years at the NAACP Newport County Branch in Rhode Island and is a past president.

The forum will be at 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Muskie Archives on the Bates College campus. Lunch is $5 with preregistration, $8 at the door, if space is still available.

Lunch reservations should be made with Jeanne Lachance at 207-784-7045, ext. 2243 on or before Tuesday, Oct. 14.

Great Falls Forum is a monthly public platform for thought-provoking speakers and discussion. Everyone is welcome. No dues. No obligations. Just lunch, discussion and good information and the opportunity to hear some renowned speakers and experts. A question-and-answer period will follow the talk.