In an effort to raise awareness about education, health care, civil rights and the state of the economy in the black community, a group of Michigan’s most notable figures gathered Monday night during two panel discussions.

The 2nd Dialogue for Action, titled the “State of Black Americans in Michigan” was held at Lansing’s Bethlehem Temple Church, 1500 S. Washington Ave. About 200 people attended the event, which was sponsored by the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus, SBC Ameritech and IBM.

Attendants included Mel Farr, president of Farr Automotive Group, and state Rep. Artina Tinsley Hardman, D-Detroit.

State Sen. Alma Wheeler Smith said the event was organized to allow the public an opportunity to learn more about issues concerning black people and to promote change.

“It’s critically important when you look at the divide in income and opportunity over the last 10 years,” the Salem Township Democrat said. “It’s important for us to look at some of the issues and the economic aspect attached to race. We need to raise awareness of the general public.”

Lansing resident Shauntay Galleon said she and her mother decided to attend the event to become further educated about black issues.

“We’d been having a conversation about what direction we are going in and where we should be going,” she said. “We don’t have leadership, and we need to address issues important to our community, like education, investing and the voting process. We really haven’t had strong leadership since Martin Luther King Jr. We need someone.”