RECAP
SLO EQUITY
Diversity Coalition’s Newsletter
PRESIDENT INTRO
By Cornel N. Morton, Ph.D.
Greetings Friends,
2024 was another successful year for the Diversity Coalition We were able to host our second annual fundraiser, welcome new board members, and expand collaborative connections that foster respect for diversity, equity, and a more inclusive community. Thanks to your support, we are able to:
Provide educational programs to schools across the county.
Sponsor an outstanding community series in partnership with dozens of partner organizations
Offer board leadership training for BIPOC individuals and inclusion trainings to local nonprofits
Create a network centering and uplifting the voices of over 200 women of color in the central coast
Promote a coalition of social justice organizations to inform underserved communities about programs and opportunities related to lower-cost energy solutions while taking equitable climate action.
While these achievements are significant, there is still incredible potential for our community to grow Your support has helped address many challenges, yet members of our community continue to share concerns and experiences that challenge their sense of belonging and worth To those of you who have opened your hearts to help those affected by fear, hate, and isolation: thank you. Your compassion and efforts make a tangible difference. I would also like to express my gratitude to our outstanding staff and volunteers. We are truly blessed to benefit from their expertise and dedication.
As we move into the new year, we welcome your interest in supporting the Diversity Coalition as a volunteer, committee, or board member!
Wishing you happiness, success, and excitement for new beginnings in the year ahead
THANK YOU FOR BEING PART OF OUR 2024
2024 RECAP
A2024 was a big year for coalition building, advocacy, and community support and partnerships. Although no amount of data can capture the impact of your support, here are some of the programs and work we did this year.
2024 RECAP: SCHOOL SPEAKER PROGRAM
Photo: Paso Robles High School
1 4 1 4
This year we were able to continue bringing speakers to schools across the county. We added new speakers to our School Speaker Program adding to the diversity of voices and experiences featured.
11,930 ,930
Total number of student attendance
School Speaker Presentations
Your support helps students recognize their own stories in our speaker’s journeys, bringing a new sense of pride in their identities. These experiences are impactful and long lasting.
2024 RECAP: FOSTERING UNDERSTANDING SERIES
People attended our community events +520 +520
Through personal stories, panels, film and expert presentations, our community came together to learn and support each other.
We even hosted a Zoom webinar with a Pulitzer Prize Winner! Writer and journalist Nathan Thrall, had a special reading and conversation with us about his award winning book: A day in the life of Abed Salama.
Photo: Where Olive Trees Weep film screening at the Palm Theater
Photo: Childhood Health
32 GRADS 32 GRADS
Participants of Class #2 doing team work during their BIPOC Board Leadership Training
Thirty two amazing BIPOC graduates have completed our Board Leadership training, with over a dozen already matched with organizations across the state.
+12 +12
Org Matches
Local Nonprofits
Thanks to your support, over a dozen matches have already happened between graduates and nonprofits across the state!
25 nonprofits enrolled in our BIPOC Board Leadership program have participated in our intentional board matching mixers and dozens have benefited from DEI trainings for their board of directors and leadership. This year, in partnership with Spokes for Nonprofits, nonprofits were able to participate in 3 different trainings.
Photo:
2024 RECAP: CLIMATE EQUITY
+$700K +$700K
2024 marked a year of learning and partnerships for our coalition.
Along with stellar organizations like RACE Matters, Central Coast Coalition for Undocumented Student Success, Bloc Power, CAPSLO, and the City of SLO, we were able to bring over $700K in grant money to our local orgs.
This funding has been translated into thousands of dollars in appliance update for low income families, two research projects on electrification for BIPOC, low and middle income communities, and a full report being shared at the national level with other BIPOC led initiatives, a multimedia educational initiative, policy and program changes at the local and state levels, and more!
Photos: Project partners and participants
2024 RECAP: WOMEN OF COLOR NETWORK
This year, and thanks to board member Dr. Joy Pedersen, we were able to launch our Women of Color Network. What at first started as casual meetings to plan the first ever SLO County Women of Color Symposium, ended up being a network of over 200 womxn uplifting each other
Now, our network meets about every other month for connection. Thanks to your support our casual gatherings will continue into 2025, including hosting the second Women of Color Symposium scheduled for March 1st, 2025.
Photo: WOC Network at Cal Poly
Photo: 2024 WOC Smposium at the Monday Club in SLO
GIVE FOR GOOD
This past October we had the luck of gathering over 150 people all committed to invest in our work. Thank you to all that were able to make it. Our second annual fundraiser was a success thanks to the energy each and every one of you brought to the room.
Huge thanks to Flying Caballos Ranch for hosting us a second year in a row. Your generous support continues to be unmatched.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE
Aren’t these pictures amazing? What a joy to be part of this community. Want to join our next gala? Well, we have a date for our 2025 Annual Fundraiser! Save the date: Wednesday September 3rd, 2025.
In the meantime, join our 2025 programming. We are kicking off next year with a stellar series: MIGRATION: HUMANITY IN MOTION. See page 2 for more info. See you out there!
Rita Casaverde Executive Director
Event coordination by Amanda Holder | Pictures by Stephen Heraldo
