The Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation Department (PAR) is putting the Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Program of 2022 as its “highest priority,” Parks Director Paul Simmons said at its May 20 meeting.
“This is our highest priority moving forward,” Simmons said. “This is not just a project. This is something deeply embedded in our culture.”
Simmons encouraged every city staff to work together to deeply integrate equity and inclusion in the systems within the City of Olympia, adding that “we need to get serious about it.”
To further lead the OPARD in its efforts, Simmons introduced Olivia Salazar de Breaux, who will work as Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Specialist for the department, identifying de Breaux as “the driver of this work.”
However, Simmons noted that “equity is not a work of one; everyone should get involved.”
Simmons said the Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Specialist will work as an ambassador of city’s shared values of diversity, inclusion, equity, and belonging “by cultivating authentic connections, seeking restorative practices and bridge building and facilitating collective and collaborative growth opportunities.”
Salazar de Breaux said the work would be “extremely complicated,” but it is crucial to see and address the gaps in the programs and services of PAR.
“We’re not just working through dismantling oppressive practices and structures,” Salazar de Breaux said. “We’re also working through our individual challenges as humans.”
Salazar de Breaux said she is eyeing organizing cultural celebrations, workforce training and partnership activities to strengthen further PAR’s efforts to champion equity and inclusivity.
Aside from PAR’s Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Specialist, Olympia also created two other full-time positions to further advance diversity and inclusion within the city.
The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Program Manager will focus on supporting the Social Justice and Equity Commission, while the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator, will be reporting directly to the city manager to support internal city programs.
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Deskandchairs
Your tax dollars at work
Monday, May 23, 2022 Report this
wolfmanner
More BS
Tuesday, May 24, 2022 Report this
GeorgeOrwell
“All are equal, but some are more equal than others.”
Tuesday, May 24, 2022 Report this
burkemeister
"Oppressive practices and structures" ?? What a typical surrender to wokeism and silly waste of our tax dollars. It would be more worthwhile to take this (probably high) salary paid for this "Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Specialist" and applying it to park improvements.
Tuesday, May 24, 2022 Report this
Labman54
What a joke, how about you concentrate on making parks safe, usable , and accessible. This is a feel good position for liberals. How did we ever survive without this before. Another solution to something that doesnt need solving. STOP WASTING MONEY!
Tuesday, May 24, 2022 Report this