Olympia's equity specialist, Olivia Salazar de Breaux, awarded industry association scholarship

The National Recreation Parks Association (NRPA) awarded diversity scholarships to Olympia's Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging specialist Olivia Salazar de Breaux.

At the city council meeting last night, October 4, Parks Director Paul Simmons explained that the NRPA diversity scholarship supports individuals from historically underrepresented groups in the parks and recreation community and demonstrates outstanding contributions to serving diverse communities.

As the 2022 Diversity scholarship recipient, Simmons said De Breaux was recognized as "the best of the best" award ceremony at the national conference in Phoenix, Arizona.

"She was also fully compensated for her conference registration, lodging, airfare, and all travel expenses. She was also assigned a conference mentor to help her launch into the field of Parks and Recreation," Simmons revealed.

When De Breaux started working in the Parks in May, Simmons said she had supported the Parks for several years in her previous HR role and worked with the diversity, equity, and inclusion committee.

"This year, at a much more intense level, she helps us bridge new relationships and take our programming in different ways and helps to operationalize equity," Simmons said of De Breaux. 

DeBreaux was one of the two people chosen across the nation – and the only person from Washington State - to receive the diversity scholarship this year.

"Olivia shares an immense passion and enthusiasm for the field of parks, arts, and recreation, making her the perfect fit for the scholarship," Simmons said.

According to Simmons, De Breaux played a pivotal role in working with local organizations and individuals to host cultural events, such as Juneteenth Black History Month, and actively supported the Capital City Pride festival and the Latina Youth Summit on behalf of the city.

De Breaux thanked the NRPA and the city council for the recognition.

"I have grown a lot in this position and my previous position. The city has grown with me, and I am excited to be a part of that change," she said.