HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/2/2024 Item 5a, Rivoire, M.
Megan Rivoire <
To:Advisory Bodies
Cc:Rita Casaverde; Victoire Prothro; Denise A. Isom
Subject:Letter of Support - DEI High Impact Grant Funding Recommendation
Attachments:Letter of Support_DEI High Impact Grant_Cal Poly OUDI for Diversity Coalition.pdf
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Hello Human Relations Commission Members,
Please see the attached letter of support from the Cal Poly O?ice of University Diversity & Inclusion on behalf of
the application by the Diversity Coalition of San Luis Obispo County for a City DEI High Impact Grant to support
their BIPOC Board Leadership Training Program.
Please let me know if you have any questions or issues accessing the attachment. Thank you!
Megan Rivoire
Pronouns she/they*
Executive Administrative Assistant
Office of University Diversity & Inclusion
Building 1, Room 209
Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, CA
________
office 805-756-2288
diversity.calpoly.edu
Cal Poly is in tiłhini, the Place of the Full Moon. We gratefully acknowledge, respect, and thank yak tit ʸ u tit ʸ u yak tiłhini, Northern
Chumash Tribe of San Luis Obispo County and Region, in whose homelands we are guests.
*pronouns matter
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1 GRAND AVENUE • SAN LUIS OBISPO • CALIFORNIA • 934 07 • 805 -756-1111 CALPOLY.EDU
Date: 9/27/24
Human Relations Commission
City of San Luis Obispo
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Attention: 2024-25 DEI HIGH IMPACT GRANT
Dear Grant Review Committee:
I am writing to express enthusiastic endorsement by Cal Poly’s Office of University Diversity
and Inclusion of the Diversity Coalition of SLO County’s BIPOC Board Leadership Training
Program. This initiative seeks to empower BIPOC individuals to serve on boards within our
community, promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in decision-making processes. The goals
of this initiative align with our university’s strategic goal of providing equitable resources that
foster belonging both on campus and in our local community. These efforts serve our campus
community by increasing access to off-campus opportunities for staff, faculty, and students who
would benefit from this kind of intentional professional development cohort experience.
The program, if funded, will have a significant impact on board diversity in three key areas:
Comprehensive Training: The grant will help cover the costs of two training sessions annually,
each spanning two days, and accommodating a cohort of 12-15 diverse BIPOC participants.
These sessions will equip participants with the essential skills and knowledge required for
effective board leadership.
Board Placement Assistance Services: The program will facilitate board placement assistance
services, matching 10-20 local boards with trained BIPOC participants. This crucial step will
ensure that the skills acquired during the training are put into practice, creating tangible change
in boardroom diversity.
Capacity Building through Leadership SLO: In collaboration with Leadership SLO, Diversity
Coalition will engage in training on Pathways to Government Commissions, open to BIPOC
alumni of either organization’s leadership program; opportunities for BIPOC alumni from each
program to attend the other organization’s leadership program; and an invitation to all
Leadership SLO alumni to attend Diversity Coalition’s Board Matching and Networking mixers.
The City of San Luis Obispo's Human Relations Commission's 2024-2025 DEI High Impact
Grant would be instrumental in realizing this program's vision. It aligns seamlessly with the
broader goal of creating a culturally rich and inclusive space in the heart o f our city.
Cal Poly’s Office of University Diversity and Inclusion believes that this initiative has the
potential to be transformative for our community, particularly for those who have been
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historically underrepresented. By investing in the Diversity Coalition’s BIPOC Board Leadership
Training Program, the community will take a significant step towards fostering a more equitable
and inclusive San Luis Obispo. We recognize that for a lot of faculty, staff, and students, their
sense of belonging at Cal Poly can be greatly impacted by their overall experience navigating
SLO County. Therefore, investing in initiatives that seek to increase representation across the
region and that develop BIPOC community members to step into leadership roles is vital to our
ability to create systemic change. Our office is supportive of this initiative so much so that one of
our executive leaders serves as a Strategic Leadership instructor for the BIPOC Board
Leadership Training and other office staff members and colleagues are encouraged to attend as
participants.
Thank you for considering the grant application and your ongoing commitment to advancing
diversity, equity, and inclusion in our city.
Warm regards,
Dr. Denise Isom
Interim Vice President for Diversity & Inclusion / Senior Diversity Officer
Office of University Diversity and Inclusion