OGDEN — “Do Right By Marshall White” reads a flyer advertising a community conversation about Ogden’s recreational center to be held in person and livestreamed via Zoom and Facebook on Saturday from 6-9 p.m.

The Marshall White Center Coalition, in partnership with Weber State University’s Olene S. Walker Institute of Politics & Public Service, is hosting the event to elevate the conversation with policymakers about the center’s future — a future hanging in the balance since 2018 when the facility’s pool was closed for repairs.

“The conversation needs to be in the community with the community,” MWC activist Taylor Knuth-Bishop said.

State Sen. Ann Millner, Congressman Blake Moore and Ogden City Mayor Mike Caldwell were among those invited to participate as panelists but are unable to attend. Ogden City Chief Administrative Officer Mark Johnson is expected to take Caldwell’s place.

“We wanted to make sure the administration was being represented in the mayor’s absence,” said Leah Murray, deputy director of the Walker Institute.

The center was named after Marshall N. White, a Black Ogden City police officer who was killed in the line of duty in 1963. Marshall White’s youngest son, Ronald, who was 6 years old at the time of his father’s murder, will deliver opening remarks on the historical significance behind the MWC and the impact his father had on the community as an Ogden police officer for 15 years.

Following a 60-minute discussion moderated by Murray, President of the Ogden NAACP Betty Sawyer will present questions to panelists posed by members of the audience.

Utah Rep. Rosemary Lesser, Ogden City Councilwoman Angela Choberka, Ogden Diversity Commission Chair Jeremy Shinoda and Marshall White Center Advisory Board Chair Sean Bishop will join Johnson as panelists. Following the discussion, members of the community are invited to engage with panelists in further conversation.

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