Planning is underway for the inaugural Celebration of Community, Diversity and Culture. Set for August 7, Noon–8 p.m. at the Columbia Park stage, the event is sponsored by the Tri-Cities Diversity & Inclusion Council (TCD&IC).
TCD&IC is a 501c3 nonprofit organization made up of passionate individuals who want to create positive change. The group came together with a common goal of creating an inclusive environment where all members of the community feel valued and respected regardless of their differences. TCD&IC strives to advocate for marginalized community members, provide training and educational resources to local businesses, support community organizations that share common goals, and hold neighborhood events to help create cultural competency and awareness.
The event will feature an array of food trucks, local crafts and art, music, dance, and cultural performances. A lip sync contest and line dancing will round out the fun. TCD&IC Chief Executive Officer Naima Chambers-Smith said, “It’s really important for us to showcase the diversity that resides right here within the Tri-Cities. We wanted to create an opportunity for our community to engage and learn about the things that make us unique as well as highlight the similarities. We want to celebrate the beauty in diversity and create opportunities to foster cultural awareness.” Chambers-Smith added, “In a time when our world is so divisive, we see this as an opportunity to promote inclusivity and TRUE Community! And nothing brings people together like food and music, right?”
The event is a family affair intended to promote the beauty and diversity within the Tri-Cities, while supporting local merchants and food vendors.
“In light of the impact that COVID-19 has had on our world, more specifically the Tri-Cities, we saw our event as not only an opportunity for our community to get outside and have some fun after a year of adherence to the stay at home order, but also an opportunity to support businesses locally.
“TCD&IC is being intentional in only inviting vendors from the Central Washington area, as well as making sure that the Celebration is affordable for families by asking all vendors and merchants to have affordable price points,” added Chambers-Smith.
TCD&IC invites vendors and artisans to contact tcdic.events@gmail.comto request an application.
TCD&IC is offering an array of sponsorship opportunities for small to large businesses interested in showing their support.
Lip sync performers who wish to audition should submit a short video (of a family friendly performance) to tcdic.events@gmail.com.
TCD&IC is dedicated to fostering a unified community, embracing cultures, and celebrating diversity through education, advocacy, and the promotion of cultural competence and compassion.
While we hope enough people are vaccinated to allow for a ‘normal’ event, TCD&IC pledges to implement and enforce any safety protocols recommended by the Washington State Department of Health to protect our community from COVID-19.
Ginger Wireman is an environmental educator teaching about Hanford cleanup in her day job. She is an active volunteer working to dismantle systemic racism in urban planning, focusing on the intersection of environmental justice and climate change because BIPOC are disproportionately harmed by climate injustices.
Twitter: @Sagehugger
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