Diversity forum to highlight safe and healthy communities

Ottawa County, Michigan sent this bulletin at 10/11/2021 10:43 AM EDT

October 11, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Diversity forum to highlight safe and healthy communities

October 20th marks the 6th Annual Diversity Forum, led by the Ottawa County Cultural Intelligence Committee, in partnership with the City of Holland the Ottawa County Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Office. The registration for the 2021 Diversity Forum is now open. The forum is from 8:15AM to 4PM and the platform is virtual. The fee is $25 and deadline to register is October 15.

This year’s theme will focus on Safe and Healthy Communities.

“The Cultural Intelligence Committee and the Diversity Forum Planning team wanted to showcase the ways our community is already addressing safety and health, especially right now. While safety is often thought of as ‘public safety’, we recognize there’s elements of social safety that often get overlooked. In addition, when we talk about health, we might think of it as purely physical when in fact, it is both mental and psychological. We want to highlight the way partnerships are addressing these needs today and discuss opportunities that keep us getting better," said Robyn Afrik, Ottawa County's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Director.

Community leaders, public servants and content experts were sought out to speak to this year’s theme. Many are local and showcase the work that is making impacts here and now.

This year, the Diversity Forum will feature Keynote Darnell Blackburn who will share his experience in public safety, recognizing the ways our communities can work together making it safe and healthy for all. Dr. Joel Robertson, a widely and respected brain scientist, will also be sharing his work from a scientific approach.

Special guests from the New American Economy will speak on the Gateways for Growth project being brought to Ottawa County. New data will be unveiled highlighting the economic impacts of Immigrants, New Americans and Refugees in Ottawa County.

The forum provides a unique opportunity for those who are on their journey toward equity to listen, engage and share.

Media Contacts:

Robyn Afrik, Ottawa County Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Director, 616-994-4755

News Media may attend any portion of the forum at no charge and should contact Shannon Felgner for details on how to register.

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Images included with this press release may be reproduced for editorial use.

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Ottawa County is located on Lake Michigan’s spectacular freshwater coastline where nature is cherished and protected. More than the lakeshore, you’ll find the people of Ottawa County friendly yet driven, working hard to succeed in charming downtown small businesses, at manufacturing hubs with global impact and on acres passed down from generations. We embrace creativity and believe that diversity makes us stronger. We resolve that our public services must be high-quality and cost-effective. We are innovative and never wait for someone to solve our problems for us. We are friendly neighbors chipping in, lending a hand and making sure you know Ottawa County is where you belong.

The Ottawa County Board of Commissioners meets the second and fourth Tuesdays each month at 1:30PM. The public is welcome and encouraged to participate. Meetings are held in the Board Room located at 12220 Fillmore Street, West Olive, Michigan. Contact information and district information for the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners is available at miOttawa.org.

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