Santa Monica and surrounding Westside communities have grappled with issues pertaining to racial justice for decades. And local Black leaders feel the region cannot move forward without dialogue, so the public is invited to “Courageous Conversations: Why Black Lives Matter,” this Thursday at 6 p.m. Tickets to Thursday’s event are free, but residents must register online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/courageous-conversations-why-black-lives-matter-tickets-135390674151 to receive a link to attend. Along with a special spoken word performance by mental health entrepreneur, author and speaker Nakeya T. Fields, the community forum will feature a panel discussion with Los Angeles Times columnist Erika Smith and nationally renowned political analyst Earl Ofari Hutchinson.