HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 5b. Access and Belonging Icon Update Item 5b
Human Relations Commission
Agenda Report
For Agenda of: 9/2/2026
Item Number: 5b
FROM: Samantha Vethavanam, DEI Administrative Specialist
Phone Number: (805) 781-7064
E-mail: svethava@slocity.org
SUBJECT: ACCESS AND BELONGING ICON UPDATE
RECOMMENDATION
Receive and file an update from the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion on the new
Access and Belonging Icon.
BACKGROUND
As part of the City of San Luis Obispo’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategic Plan,
the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion has been tasked with the following:
2.2.6. Research and explore the development of a community -led design process for
creating a DEI icon to be included in City materials and shared with grant recipients, local
businesses, and non-profit organizations.
As a result, the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion worked with our Public
Communications Manager and community partners to develop options for an icon that
can be used to celebrate efforts related to access and belonging and to create a
recognizable signal of the shared commitment to access and belonging. A focus group
was first held in early December 2025 with community partners and advocates in the
diversity, equity, and inclusion space where they provided feedback on examples of what
an icon like this could look like.
City staff distilled and reviewed their feedback to create three options that were presented
to the Human Relations Commission at their February 18, 2026 Special Meeting, as well
as presented to other stakeholders, in order to choose one option to use moving forward.
The icon, titled the Access & Belonging Icon, has been chosen and is now in the p rocess
of being rolled out. It will be rolled out in three phases: 1) Internally with City staff; 2)
Externally with community partners; and 3) Externally to the public. The icon will be used
to show where diversity, equity, and inclusion is intentionally embedded; on City materials
to highlight programs and events related to access and belonging; by partners, including
grant recipients, nonprofits, and local businesses; and in physical spaces to signal
welcoming environments.
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