HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/2/2024 Item 5a, Hunt
10:03 AM
To:Advisory Bodies
Subject:Letter of support for DEI grant
Attachments:Letter of Support for Diversity Coalition.pdf
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Hello HRC. Attached is our letter of support for the Diversity Coalition.
Stacey Hunt, CEO
Ecologistics, Inc. dba
Central Coast Bioneers
Ecologistics.org
805-548-0597
1
ECOLOGISTICS8
September 27, 2024
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 Ecologistics' enthusiastic endorsement 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. Ecologistics has long
sought to diversify our board but lacked the connections necessary to find BIPOC
community members who would be interested in our commitment to the environment
and social justice.
Diversity Coalition's 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. Ecologistics has participated in two
mixers arranged by the Diversity Coalition which gives us an opportunity to meet
graduates from their training program. Hopefully we will be able to recruit board
members as a result of the mixers.
805.548.0597 ecologistics, inc., a nonprofit corporation
ecologistics.org 633 ramona ave. space 103, los osos, ca 93402
Human Relations Commission
City of San Luis Obispo
September 27, 2024
Page 2
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 of our city.
Ecologistics believes that this initiative has the potential to be transformative for our
community, particularly for those who have been 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.
Thank you for considering the grant application and your ongoing commitment to
advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in our city.
Warm regards,
Stacey Hunt, CEO