By AMY ADAMS
news@readthereporter.com
A group of around a dozen community members met at the Westfield City Services Center on Wednesday evening, Sept. 25, to work toward establishing a coalition to focus on diversity initiatives in the city.
“As mayor, I believe that establishing a diversity coalition is crucial for fostering inclusivity and strengthening our community,” Mayor Scott Willis said. “By bringing together voices from various backgrounds and experiences, we can promote collaboration and understanding and ensure that all residents feel represented and valued.”
This initial meeting follows a gathering of around 40 people at the Willis home several months ago to talk about the need for such an organization and to gauge interest in participation. The first two gatherings have drawn people from various vocational, experiential, and ethnic backgrounds.
“People are interested and excited,” said Peg Strass, executive operations manager for the Office of the Mayor. “It’s a diversity coalition in that it is a place for anyone and everyone where they can feel like they can come and be accepted. People don’t want to be a part of something that produces anger but something that promotes mutual respect.”
The resident-driven coalition is still in the development and organizational stage.
“The coalition as an organization is independent from the city,” Willis said. “But, the city will support it and set it up for success. We’re not going to change anything overnight, but we need to show the community we’re here and we have a purpose.”
Strass will be acting as a liaison between the coalition and the city. She will also be helping the coalition gain its nonprofit status, along with writing grant proposals and fundraising to help the organization establish programming and meet goals.
“Because I am Latina and bilingual, I am able to connect with another part of the community that the mayor is not able to connect with as easily,” Strass said. “My role is not only to help develop these programs that we need to bring people together but to be a resource and a facilitator. I want to help people start thinking about how we can sprinkle in diversity in everything we do.”
One issue the group addressed Wednesday evening was the recent Cuisine Connect Culture event organized by Westfield Welcome. Everyone who attended the festival on Saturday, Sept. 21, agreed that it’s a great event, but it has been poorly attended compared to other Westfield Welcome events throughout the year.
Matt Deck, Westfield director of facilities and events, was on hand to hear feedback on ways to get the word out about the event and draw more people, both people from diverse cultures as well as those who want to learn about and experience diverse cultures.
“We have to appreciate what the city is already doing,” Westfield resident Marco Dominguez said. “In the past, it would have been extremely hard to sit at this table. The city is opening doors. It’s up to the international community to offer support.”
Dominguez’s neighbor, Aaron Bell, agreed.
“One thing I’ve learned is that the number one thing I can do is participate,” Bell said.
Bell, Dominguez, and Willis spoke of their neighborhood being a microcosm of how diversity could look in Westfield. The group also acknowledged that the very word “diversity” can carry misconceptions.
“It is a false logic to believe there is a limit to our acceptance,” resident Michelle Wickham said. “Wouldn’t it be lovely if we could all recognize that embracing someone else doesn’t diminish us? In fact, it enriches us. We’re just sharing the good we all bring.”
Willis suggested that, for now, the coalition meet once a month at the City Services Center.
“I think, right now, we have a lot to do,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to seeing this coalition develop. I believe in it, and it’s very important to our administration.”
He encouraged those present to take some time to think about the important “pillars” on which the group can focus and to come to the next meeting prepared to discuss.
For more information, email Peg Strass at pstrass@westfield.in.gov or call (317) 379-7680.