Community Partnerships: Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for 2025 and Beyond

As we enter 2025, our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) committee is excited to announce a renewed focus and a new name for our efforts: Community Partnerships. This reimagined approach reflects our commitment to fostering meaningful collaborations with organizations and individuals to address systemic inequities, amplify diverse voices, and ensure everyone feels valued and included.

Why Community Partnerships?

The challenges we face as a society require collective action. Inequities in education, healthcare, and economic opportunities persist, particularly among underserved and historically marginalized communities. By embracing the spirit of partnership, we can leverage the strength of our diverse community to address these issues and build a more equitable future.

Our goals are simple yet profound:

Promote Equity: Collaborate with communities to break down systemic barriers and create access to essential resources.

Enhance Diversity: Engage voices from all walks of life, ensuring representation across cultural, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Foster Inclusion: Actively involve community members in decision-making, ensuring their perspectives are not just heard but acted upon.

A New Era of Collaboration

Through Community Partnerships, we aim to build on our past successes while setting a bold vision for the future. Our initiatives will prioritize the following areas:

Education: Working with local schools and colleges to ensure all students, especially those from marginalized backgrounds, have access to high-quality education and opportunities to succeed.

Economic Empowerment: Partnering with organizations to create pathways for economic mobility, such as workforce development programs and support for minority-owned businesses.

Healthcare Access: Collaborating with local healthcare providers to address disparities in care and outcomes, particularly in underserved areas.

Preparing for Change

In light of potential challenges to DEI policies at the state and federal levels, we recognize the importance of resilience and adaptability. Our strategy includes:

Advocacy: Partnering with organizations like the ACLU to support efforts protecting civil rights and inclusive policies.

Community Engagement: Hosting forums and workshops to foster dialogue and awareness about the importance of diversity and inclusion.

Educational Outreach: Providing resources and training to help schools and workplaces continue fostering equity within legal and societal constraints.

A Call to Action

Community Partnerships is more than a name—it’s a movement. We invite all members of our community, including allied organizations, educators, business leaders, and individuals, to join us in this mission. Together, we can resist potential rollbacks to progress and ensure that the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion remain at the heart of our society.

What’s Next?

We will officially launch this initiative at a special meeting on January 13^th.  2025. This gathering will showcase ongoing projects, provide opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals and outline how you can get involved.

As we embark on this journey, let us remember that meaningful change is a collective endeavor. By working together, we can create a future where everyone—regardless of background—has the opportunity to thrive.

Join Us. Partner With Us. Lead With Us.

For more information or to get involved, please contact Timothy Priano timothy@abtp.com Chair.

Together, let’s build bridges for equity and inclusion. 

**Community Partnerships** inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting 2^nd Tuesday of every month.

NEXT:  February 10^th Monday at 12:30 PM

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81545226479

Meeting ID: 815 4522 6479