By JC Medina
The Lacey Commission on Equity finalized preparations for major community events, including a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) Summit and Veterans and Active-Duty Families Community Forum for May.
The commission made the decisions at a meeting on Monday, April 28.
The DEIB Summit on May 10, which is organized in partnership with the City of Olympia and other local sponsors, will feature keynote speaker Erin Jones and a full day of workshops and community engagement.
The event will take place at South Puget Sound Community College, with 17 organizations participating in a resource fair.
“We’re still concerned about security, potential protesters,” said Equity and Inclusion Program Manager Veronica Hand, noting the summit’s organizers have reached out to law enforcement to increase patrols during the event.
“We have all the speakers confirmed. … We already have 150 (attendees), which is what we budgeted for food.”
Organizers confirmed that the setup would begin the day prior. The event will include advocacy sessions, a youth panel and a series of workshops on equity in education and municipal policy.
The event will run from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with registration opening at 9 a.m.
Youth representation has also been prioritized.
“I’m going to be on the youth panel,” said Commission on Equity’s Youth Representative Kieran Sills-Powell, adding multiple student organizations were invited to participate.
Community Forum
Also on the agenda was the upcoming Veterans and Active Duty Families Community Forum for May 28.
The commission reported outreach to local veteran organizations and military spouse groups to encourage participation.
“I actually passed on the information to the spouses club onto Shannon (assistant city manager), so hopefully she’s reached out and connected with them,” Commissioner Makieda Hart said. “That should help with getting the information out and around.”
The forum will follow a “community café” model similar to the city’s previous All Abilities event, with table discussions facilitated by commissioners and input collected through written forms and QR codes.
JW
DEIB....let's add a "W" for "waste" as in "waste of taxpayer money and taxpayer funded employee's time". Then we can call it DWEIB (pronounced Dweeb).
Wednesday, April 30, 2025 Report this
OldKid
Cicada
Quadlok, once again, you speak for me and way better than I could . It seems JW and others are uncomfortable with the concept that people want equity and recognition for all. Sad.
Thursday, May 1, 2025 Report this
Snevets
Thank you @Quadlok & OldKid, my thoughts exactly.
Thursday, May 1, 2025 Report this
Southsoundguy
DEIBTCQGTFO+…2014 called it wants it schtick back. These “leaders” are not serious people.
Thursday, May 1, 2025 Report this
Southsoundguy
Oldkid, your name is correct. You are not an adult engaging with reality. Sad.
Thursday, May 1, 2025 Report this