Community organizer Jac Charlier speaks to members of the Fair Allocation in Runways coalition. View Full Caption DNAinfo/Mina Bloom

MAYFAIR — A nascent community group is probing for new ways to talk about race on the predominantly white Northwest Side, and considering how to turn its talk into action.

A month after the Edgebrook-based organizer Jac Charlier launched the first-ever "Unity in Community" dinner as a "judgment-free" exploration of how residents' backgrounds can color their perspectives, the group is looking for ways to follow up on a concrete list of "action items."

Charlier wasn't sure anyone would be interested in the concept when he launched it, but it turned out to be an "incredible success," he said.

"More than double as many people showed up as we expected ... we had to turn people away at the door," Charlier said. "It showed there's a lot of energy and enthusiasm among citizens in the Northwest area in being part of the solution on race relations, and now we just have to figure out how to apply that energy."

The 15 "action items" are scattershot, ranging from general goals like "Invite people of color as guests in our communities" to specific suggestions like "Read Michael Eric-Dyson's 'The Tears We Cannot Stop.'"

The initiative's next meeting, during which leaders hope to further clarify their goals, is set for 7 p.m. Thursday at the Irish American Heritage Center, 4730 N. Knox Ave.

Participation is open to the public, but attendees are asked to RSVP to jac.charlier@gmail.com or adelebach@earthlink.net to reserve a spot.