Diversity and Inclusion Commission Accomplishments

• Held 9 meetings.
• During the February meeting, Committee Members listened to a professional presentation by Claire Krawsczyn on the topic of “At the Intersection of Motherhood and Entrepreneurship.”
• During the March meeting, Committee Members listened to a presentation on “Greater Cincinnati’s Asian American Community” by CK Wang, Esq, Immigration Attorney and Montgomery resident and Leo Chan, Executive Director of the Midwest USA Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
• A ‘Know Your Neighbor’ series was held via Zoom on Wednesday, March 31 at 7:00 p.m. Committee Members Chris Burns and Dell Carter talked about the history of race in America using themes from the book Stamped from the Beginning, The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi.
• During the April meeting, Committee Members listened to a presentation on “Our Aging Population: The Work of the Council on Aging” by Lisa Kruse, Outreach Coordinator for the Council on Aging.
• During the June meeting, Committee Members joined in a discussion on “A Workforce Demographics Conversation” by Julie Prickett (City of Montgomery Staff).
• Committee members participated in the Independence Day Parade & Festival with a decorated parade float and a booth at the festival.
• During the July meeting, Guest Presenter, Scott Knox, gave a wonderful presentation on LGBTQ legal issues.
• During the August meeting, members discussed formalizing the Committee to a Commission.
• The Diversity Dinner Party was held on Saturday, Oct 2 from 6-8:30 p.m. at Swaim Park. Dishes from Artemis Mediterranean, Pacific Kitchen and Mei Japanese were provided. Emiko Moore shared her art of Kamishibai, Paper Theater. The Cincinnati Dayton Taiko group gave a drumming performance. Over 50 people attended the dinner.
• The Diversity Garden is being planned for 2022.

Learn more about the Montgomery Diversity and Inclusion Committee

• Held 8 meetings.
• Formed 4 subcommittees which included: Education, Event, Public Awareness and Metrics/Strategic Plan/Surveys and Evaluations.
• Guest Speaker Pete Metz of the Metro Bus Service presented information about public transportation and the Move Forward Plan to committee members during the February meeting.
• At the recommendation of the Committee, in March City officials met with the CEO’s of the Hispanic, African American, Indian American and Chinese American chambers of commerce to explore opportunities for encouraging more minority businesses in Montgomery.
• Committee Members Rosa and Juan Molina gave a wonderful, informative, and fun presentation on Hispanic Culture during the June meeting.
• Represented in the July 4 Reverse Parade with members on a parade float.
• Member Priya Viswalingam presented “Indian Culture and Hinduism” at the July meeting.
• In the aftermath of the George Floyd tragedy, the Committee participated in a 3-part discussion series (August, September and October meetings) about “Why Black Lives Matter in Montgomery.” In September, Chris Burns and Lydell “Dell” Carter gave an informative presentation on the book Stamped from the Beginning: the Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi to committee members.
• Planned the third #IamMontgomery Dinner Party in October but was cancelled due to the pandemic.
• Guest Alona Ballard, Education Specialist from HOME (Housing Opportunities Made Equal) presented “Fair Housing 101” to committee members at the November meeting.
• City Manager Brian Riblet, Community and Information Service Director Matthew Vanderhorst, and committee member Umama Alam gave a presentation about Montgomery’s Diversity and Inclusion efforts during the July 2020 Alliance for Innovation Transforming Local Government Conference.
• The Committee help plan and participate in the April 2020 #TurnMontgomeryBlue campaign to recognize healthcare and front-line workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The City of Montgomery has been chosen to receive the Building Inclusive Community award for the 2020 CLIMB Awards presented by the Cincinnati Business Courier in partnership with The Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber.

Learn more about the Montgomery Diversity and Inclusion Committee

• Held 10 meetings.
• Formed 4 subcommittees which included Community Education, Data and Metrics, July 4 Parade Float and Dinner Party.
• Members Steve Coppel and Jackie Congedo presented “The Persistence of Anti-Semitism” at the January meeting.
• Guest Speaker Tammy Bennett presented “Implicit Bias” to committee members, the Sycamore Schools Dean of Students, and to 8 Sycamore Schools students at the February meeting.
• Member Umama Alam launched the first “Know Your Neighbor” community education series on “Islam and America’s Muslim Community” on April 2.
• Represented in the July 4 Parade with members on a parade float. The unit won “Best Float”.
• Represented at the July 4 Festival with members in a booth at the Festival.
• Member Chris Burns presented “Independence Day – with Malice Toward None and Charity for All” at the June meeting.
• Michelle Harpenau, Executive Director of the World Affairs Council of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky gave a presentation to the committee on “The World Affairs Council” at the August meeting.
• Held the second “Know Your Neighbor” community education session on August 8 with Shane DiGiovanna presenting “Overcoming Disabilities.”
• Hosted the second #IamMontgomery Dinner Party in September with 57 registered. Participants enjoyed food, live music and lit luminaries which floated in the pond at Swaim Park.
• Members Reverend Nancy Turner Jones and Larry James presented “Beloved Community” at the September meeting.
• Member Alfonso Cornejo was the featured speaker in the third “Know Your Neighbor” community education series speaking on “Hispanics in the USA and the Cincinnati Metropolitan Area” on October 15.
• Guest Speaker Priya Klocek held a training session on Cultural Competency for committee members at the October meeting.
• Brian Riblet applied to the Alliance for Innovation Conference to speak about our diversity committee. The presentation was accepted, and committee members will present at the conference in May 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona.
• Was nominated for the Spirit of Montgomery Award by the Montgomery Ohio Chamber of Commerce.
• Advised on the holidays page in the 2020 City calendar.
• Assisted with the recruitment for MCLA class of 2020.
• Profiled Members in the City Bulletins which included Carol Gorley in the April Bulletin, Steve Coppel in June, Benny Miles in September, Alfonso Cornejo in October, and Jackie Congedo in November.

Learn more about the Montgomery Diversity and Inclusion Committee

• Was formed by City Manager Brian Riblet and had its first meeting in January 2018.
• Held 11 meetings.
• Created the #IamMontgomery campaign including a video, 400 buttons, 200 yard signs, t-shirts.
• Completed a cultural review of the city’s social media sites.
• Member Umama Alam presented “Understanding Islam and Muslims” at the May meeting.
• Represented at the Farmers Market with our members in a booth at the Market.
• Represented in the July 4 Parade with members in a parade unit.
• Represented at the July 4 Festival with members in a booth at the Festival.
• Assisted with the recruitment for MCLA class of 2019.
• Member Alfonso Cornejo presented “Hispanics in Ohio and Cincinnati MSA” at the July meeting.
• Member Sasha Naiman presented, “Rebuilding Lives: how people with criminal records reintegrate into the community” at the August meeting.
• Hosted a Dinner Party in Montgomery Park in October with 40 registered and 50 attending.
• Sycamore Schools team Frank Forsthoefel, Karen Naber and Emily Williams the Supervisor of English as a Second Language, presented “Valuing Diversity” at the October meeting.
• Jamahal Boyd of Tri-Health presented on “Diversity and Inclusion:  The Strategy” at the November meeting.
• Shane DiGiovanna presented about turning adversity into opportunity at the December meeting.
• Profiled Member Chris Burns in the December Bulletin.
• The topic of Diversity and Inclusion has been structured into the curriculum of an upcoming Montgomery Citizens Leadership Academy class.
• Added to the 2019 City Calendar information about our Committee and advising on the diverse holidays page in the calendar.
• Created a two-year strategic work plan.
• City Manager Brian Riblet obtained a $4,000 grant for our committee through the Duke Energy Foundation.

Learn more about the Montgomery Diversity and Inclusion Committee