Community Leaders discuss Racial Issues at the Table of Diversity.

The annual Mayor's Breakfast was held this morning in continuance of Reconciliation Week, along with a panel where community members sat down to discuss racial issues.

Today marks the 19th anniversary of the 2003 Lockheed shooting that killed six people. Some believe that the shooting unfolded because of racial issues.

"The purpose of today's panel discussion was to hear from leaders in our community about reconciliation and the problems we have with race and to get different perspectives on how to address the issues that we are facing," stated Stacey Miller, daughter of Lockheed shooting victim, Rev. Charlie Miller.

Mayor Jimmie Smith shared what he hopes will come out of having the discussion panel.

"I hope what comes out of this is that the community is more informed about the situation about racial reconciliation. I think that we have to talk about issues that impact the community as a whole. Part of what we did this morning was doing that, and I'm sure everybody here got a good message this morning", said Mayor Smith.

Having conversations like this morning is a key step in breaking down the walls of racial issues, says Miller.

"It is so important because it affects all of us. We see the effects of the distrust or separation of the races in our community, society, and world. So, the only way to break it down is to meet it head-on to address those issues. To meet other people who are different from you then try to break down those walls."

Reconciliation Week closes out with a parade through downtown Meridian Saturday morning and on Sunday with prayer throughout local churches.