Ennis Residents Gather for Unity Roundtable

Event aims to heal divisions and strengthen community relationships

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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Residents of Ennis, Texas gathered at the Welcome Center for a roundtable event hosted by the local organization Unity in the Community. The program, led by Dr. Charlotte Watson-Allen and her mother Ennis City Commissioner Shirley Watson, featured panel discussions focused on building racial bridges, strengthening relationships, and encouraging civic participation throughout the city.

Why it matters

The event comes at a time when many communities across the country are grappling with racial tensions and a need for more open dialogue. By hosting this roundtable, Unity in the Community is taking proactive steps to address these issues in Ennis and foster a more united and engaged local population.

The details

The roundtable featured panel discussions led by Dr. Charlotte Watson-Allen, who has a background in community psychology, and her mother Shirley Watson, an Ennis City Commissioner. The event aimed to provide a platform for residents to share their experiences, perspectives, and ideas for how to heal divisions and strengthen relationships within the community.

  • The roundtable event took place on March 8, 2026 at the Ennis Welcome Center.

The players

Dr. Charlotte Watson-Allen

A community psychologist who led the program at the Unity in the Community roundtable.

Shirley Watson

An Ennis City Commissioner and the mother of Dr. Charlotte Watson-Allen, who co-led the roundtable event.

Unity in the Community

A local organization in Ennis, Texas that hosted the roundtable event focused on building racial bridges and strengthening community relationships.

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What they’re saying

“We must come together as a community to heal divisions and find common ground. This roundtable is an important step in that direction.”

— Dr. Charlotte Watson-Allen, Community Psychologist (ennisdailynews.com)

“As an elected official, I'm committed to facilitating more open dialogues and creating opportunities for residents to get involved in shaping the future of Ennis.”

— Shirley Watson, Ennis City Commissioner (ennisdailynews.com)

What’s next

Unity in the Community plans to host additional roundtable events and community forums in the coming months to continue the dialogue and engagement around these important issues.

The takeaway

This roundtable represents an important step forward for the Ennis community in addressing racial tensions and finding ways to build bridges across different groups. By fostering open dialogue and encouraging civic participation, events like this can help strengthen the social fabric and create a more united and engaged local population.