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Diversity Initiative of Northwest Ottawa County

Overview
The Diversity Initiative of northwest Ottawa County promotes racial equity and the active inclusion of people from all racial and ethnic backgrounds who work, live and play in Northwest Ottawa County.
Our Vision
The people of northwest Ottawa County will work together to foster mutual respect, understanding and trust in order to achieve an environment where diversity is valued; positions of influence are shared; justice prevails; and economic, educational and civic responsibilities are accessible to all.


What We Aim to Achieve
  • Reduced impacts of unintentional bias.
  • Increased number of People of Color in positions of influence and residing in integrated neighborhoods.
  • Increased employment opportunities and supportive working environments for People of Color.
  • Increased comfort level of Caucasians and People of Color visiting, living in, and working in a multi-ethnic community.

Current Participants
More than 40 local leaders from business, education, community and faith-based organizations are currently participating in this initiative.


Co-Chairs of the Initiative are Shaily Menon, Grand Valley State University Professor and Associate Dean for Professional Development and Administration in the College of Liberal Arts and Science (left), Nelson Jacobson, JSJ Corporation Chairman, President and CEO (center) and Al Vanderberg, Ottawa County Administrator (right).

Get Involved

The Diversity Initiative of Northwest Ottawa County is developing partnerships between institutions and individuals to advance inclusion and achieve racial equity in Northwest Ottawa County. This is an enormous challenge requiring intentional effort and many hands. You can become involved by serving on an Action Team.

Action Teams will: identify institutional barriers to racial inclusion and equity in northwest Ottawa County, develop strategies to dismantle one or two of those barriers, select measures for success, implement the strategies and assess progress.

We invite you to be a part of this process. Please sign-up now to be part of this vital work.


Videos
Issues & Answers: Produced by the Grand Haven Area Public Schools (GHAPS) on August 26, 2013

GHAPS Superintendent Keith Konarska and his guests Gail Harrison, Nelson Jacobson, and Shaily Menon discuss the Diversity Initiative of Northwest Ottawa County (DINOC) – why DINOC was created, why they are involved, as well as diversity and inclusion in Northwest Ottawa County.


Holly Johnson, Michigan Council of Foundations talks about their support of the Diversity Initiative of Northwest Ottawa County.

Support for this initiative is provided by: Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, Marion A. and Ruth K. Sherwood Fund, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Loutit Foundation, Grand Haven Area Public Schools, and various individuals. Meeting space is provided through partnerships with the City of Grand Haven, Loutit District Library and Spring Lake District Library.