The City of Kenmore’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Advisory Committee is made up of members who either live or work in Kenmore and reflects the City’s diversity, including representation from different racial, ethnic, socio-economic, gender, disability, and age groups. The committee members have relevant DEIA experience through their education, work, or other direct experiences, including lived experience. The committee members are volunteers, unpaid for their service.

The committee meets one evening each quarter to discuss DEIA in the community and works with city staff when issues arise and their expertise is welcomed. The committee’s work involves advocating for and promoting DEIA within the City, advising the City Manager and City departments on DEIA issues and questions, and engaging the community in dialogues and activities that foster DEIA.  They also develop strategies and recommendations to enhance diversity within the City’s workforce, establish connections and collaborations with diverse community groups, identify barriers for underrepresented and marginalized communities and propose solutions, advocate for accessibility in City services, programs, and facilities for all residents, and monitor and review the City’s progress implementing the DEIA Strategic Plan.

DEIA Advisory Committee Members:

• Ashley Gonzales
• Ben Resler
• Carlos Gil
• Juanita Aguilar
• Juliana Pooley
• David Arthur
• Mariel Mehdipour
• Nancy Thai

Fostering a sense of community where everyone has an opportunity to thrive is important to the City of Kenmore. The Kenmore Community Resource and Support Hub includes human services and community resources for mental health counseling, medical and dental care, food, shelter, transportation, and other support programs that promote stability and well-being.

The City has also created a Human Services Booklet designed to help residents navigate a complex network of resources available throughout the county. The booklet is full of phone numbers to call to access a variety of services. Physical copies are available on the resource wall in the city hall lobby, on the resource table at the Hangar, and at the Kenmore Senior Center in Rhododendron Park.

Africans on the Eastside - Non-profit organization whose mission is to support youth and families by providing outreach, education, advocacy and leadership training, and other help, including culturally sensitive support services for immigrants and marginalized communities.

Immigrant and Refugee Community Resources - King County Sheriff's Office resource page providing information on legal and social service providers, government and community programs centered on serving immigrants, refugees, and victims of crime.

Family Separation Rapid Response Team - This page provides resources and news on an initiative by the Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families to improve policies and practices statewide to protect children whose parents or guardians are detained or deported due to immigration status. 

Resources for Families Impacted by Immigration-Related Concerns - A resource flyer produced by the Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families; Available in multiple languages.

What is the Safe Place Program?

The Safe Place program is a partnership between the police, business community, and schools and was approved by Kenmore City Council in March 2021 (See the proclamation). The program aims to create safe locations for individuals to visit if they feel they have been the victim of crimes, but specifically hate (or bias) crimes (which often go unreported). 

How does it work?

Businesses and schools that participate place an easily recognizable decal at their entrances This symbol is a signal for victims of hate crimes that the location has partnered with the police, and will call 911 on the victim’s behalf. The victim will be allowed a safe place to stay on the premises until the police arrive.

Participation is FREE and open to businesses, service organizations, schools and government agencies in Kenmore. For safety reasons, the program is not designed, or authorized, for individual and/or residential use.

Want to Join?

• Lambert House: Lambert House empowers lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth through the development of leadership, social, and life skills.
• Outdoors For All: OFA (formerly Ski for All) works to improve the lives of children and adults with disabilities through year-round outdoor recreational activities like skiing, camping, biking, and more.
• Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute: Connects people and communities with the best of African-American performing arts. Classes, volunteer programs and special events provide excellent learning and networking opportunities.
• Arc Washington: The Arc of Washington State advocates for and beside children and adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families. We have been advocating since 1936, and we envision a world where people with I/DD are included in their communities and neighborhoods and where quality supports and services respond to their needs and personal choices. 

Join Kenmore in Celebrating Black History Month

February has been proclaimed Black History Month in Kenmore by the City Council. Black History Month recognizes and pays tribute to the many enhancements and advancements that Black and African Americans have contributed to our history, society, and culture, both nationally and locally. It also recognizes the discrimination and inequalities that Black and African Americans have continuously faced while shaping our society and strengthening our nation.

Black History Month summons every member of the Kenmore community to build on togetherness and cultural awareness, while celebrating Kenmore’s diversity and intersectionality. Here are a few ways you can participate, this month and all year long:

• Find a wealth of information, exhibits, and resources at blackhistorymonth.gov
• Explore a storymap of local Black-owned businesses to support.
• Find local exhibits and events or attend a virtual story time through the Northwest African American Museum
• Celebrate Black History Month with King County Library System:
• Check out this day by day virtual calendar to learn about Black history preserved in national parks or through National Park Service programs.

• Attend a series of virtual streaming events through the National Museum of African American History and Culture 

Women's History Month - March

The Kenmore City Council has proclaimed March as “Women's History Month” in the City of Kenmore. Women's History Month recognizes that women of every race, class, and ethnic background have made historic contributions to the growth and strength of our City, State, and Nation in countless recorded and unrecorded ways. Despite these contributions, the role of American women in history has been consistently overlooked and undervalued. The City makes this proclamation to celebrate all women and as an affirmation of the City’s commitment to honor the contributions of all women in the past, and to support the women who contribute to our future. 

How can you celebrate and participate in Women's History this month:

• Celebrate International Women's Day and Women's History Month with this Kenmore storymap that highlights women leaders in Kenmore, local women owned businesses, and more! 

• View the reading of the Kenmore proclamation at the February 24, 2025 City Council meeting
• Find exhibits, exhibitions, videos and images at womenshistorymonth.gov
• Celebrate Women's History Month through the King County archives
• View King County Library System's recommended reading list

Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month - May

Kenmore City Council proclaimed May as Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month throughout the City of Kenmore. The proclamation, which recognizes that the AANHPI community accounts for nearly 11% of Kenmore’s resident population, celebrates Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders and their invaluable force in shaping our community and the nation, despite facing ongoing systemic barriers and social injustices.

The City is proud to celebrate the vibrant diversity of cultures, languages, and religions of the AANHPI community and is committed to standing against increasing rates of anti-Asian harassment and violence.

Find out ways to participate and celebrate, and learn more about Asian/Pacific American heritage with this resource guide developed by the Washington State Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs, or visit asianpacificheritage.gov  for National Archives, artwork and other tributes. Governor Inslee also proclaimed May as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month in Washington.

Pride Month in Kenmore! - June

Kenmore City Council has proclaimed June as Pride Month in Kenmore! Pride Month is a celebration of the contributions made by LGBTQIA+ individuals in our community and throughout the nation and recognition that LGBTQIA+ rights are human rights. The City of Kenmore recognizes the fight for equality and dignity for all individuals under the law continues, and reaffirms its commitment to being a safe, inclusive and welcoming city for all people. The Progress Pride Flag flies high for the month of June at City Hall which incorporates the Transgender Pride Flag and includes black and brown stripes to represent marginalized LGBTQIA+ communities of color, community members lost to HIV/AIDS, and those living with AIDS. A Pride Month proclamation was made at the May 23 City Council meeting.

Pride Community Celebration – Wednesday, June 25
Kenmore's DEIA Committee invites you to join the Pride Community Celebration on Wednesday, June 25, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Town Square in tandem with the Kenmore Farmers Market. This festive afternoon will feature music and entertainment from C89.5, along with a variety of local organizations and vendors celebrating inclusivity and community. Enjoy giveaways, sweet treats, hands-on activities, and plenty of fun for all ages. We look forward to celebrating with you!

The lineup of vendors and groups include: C89.5 radio station for music and entertainment, Cascadia College, Pride Across the Bridge, Eastside Pride PNW, Eastside PFLAG, KCLS – Kenmore branch, All the Best Pets, Catalyst Counseling, Free Mom Hugs, Girl Scouts of America, NEXUS Mental Health Group, Arts of Kenmore, and the DEIA Committee.

June 19th is proclaimed Juneteenth in Kenmore

In 2021, Kenmore City Council passed a proclamation announcing June 19th as Juneteenth in Kenmore. Juneteenth is the oldest known public celebration of the end of slavery in the United States, marking the day in 1865 that news of Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation reached Galveston, Texas and all slaves were announced free. Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom, and emphasizes achievement and successes gained through education and opportunity.

Juneteenth has been celebrated for over 150 years, and its popularity has continued to grow in recent years. This year, Governor Jay Inslee signed House Bill 1016, officially declaring Juneteenth a state holiday and The United States Congress is also discussing recognizing Juneteenth as a federal holiday. In cities across the country, people of all races, nationalities and religions are joining hands to truthfully acknowledge a dark period in American history that shaped and continues to influence our society today.

Kenmore residents are encouraged to observe Juneteenth and celebrate the promise of freedom and equality at the core of the American Dream. Here are a few resources to educate and celebrate:

• Celebrate the victory and liberty of African American people with the Northwest African American Museum.
  
• Learn the Historical Legacy of Juneteenth from the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

National Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month in Kenmore - September 15 - October 15

September 15 to October 15 has been proclaimed National Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month in Kenmore by the City Council. Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month is celebrated nationally during this time and recognizes the histories, cultures, and contributions of those in our community whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. See the proclamation.

On November 1, the DEIA Advisory Committee is hosting a Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Community Celebration at the Hangar from 11 to 2. Not to be confused with Halloween, Día de los Muertos is a traditional Mexican holiday on which people seek to connect with their deceased loved ones by setting up an altar, or ofrenda, with the food, drinks, toys, and other items their loved ones enjoyed. The event will feature music, Mexican food, and arts and crafts for families, and a community ofrenda that guests can decorate with memories of the loved ones they have lost.

These tools are useful for organizations and individuals to reflect on how decisions are made:

• Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE)
• Seattle Racial Equity Toolkit
• Renton Racial Equity Lens

• 21 day racial equity challenge
• Being anti-racist
• King County Leading with Racial Justice Tools and Resources
• Gender Identity
• Harvard Implicit Bias Test
• Racial Equity Tools and Resources
• White Supremacy Pyramid
• Equity Audit Window
• The Ally League
• Equity Institute

Books:

• YOU ARE HERE! A Field Guide for Racial Reality by Fernell Miller

• Let’s Talk About Race? By Julius Lester

Videos:

• Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man - Emmanuel Acho

• Race in America - 17 min - Phil Vischer

A Rainbow of Cultures: Understanding BIPOC
Provided by the City of Kenmore's DEIA consultant, Chanin Kelly-Rae.

Hey there! Have you heard the term "BIPOC" recently and wondered what it means? You're not alone! BIPOC is a relatively new term that's been popping up more frequently, and it’s important to know what it stands for. Let’s take a colorful journey to understand this simple, yet significant term.

What is BIPOC? BIPOC stands for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. Imagine a rainbow with its beautiful colors. Just like how each color makes the rainbow more vibrant, our world is made more beautiful and diverse by different cultures and backgrounds. BIPOC is a term that shines a spotlight on groups that have historically not had the same opportunities as others because of their race or ethnicity.

Let's break it down:

• Black: Refers to people who have roots in African countries. This includes people whose ancestors were brought to other parts of the world, like the United States, through the slave trade. They have a rich history and culture.
• Indigenous: Think about the people who were living in a place long before others arrived. In the United States, for example, these are the Native American tribes. In other countries, indigenous people may have different names like Aborigines in Australia. They have unique traditions and a deep, direct connection to the land.
• People of Color: This is like the rest of the rainbow. It encompasses people who aren’t Black or Indigenous but still have a rich cultural heritage that isn’t white. This includes folks with roots in Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and more.

Why is it important? You might be wondering why we don’t just say “everyone”. The term BIPOC helps recognize that these groups have faced unique challenges throughout history, like discrimination or lack of opportunities, and still often do. It’s like saying, “Hey, your history and experiences matter, and we want to make sure they’re not ignored or forgotten.”

How to use BIPOC: If you’re talking about issues or achievements that are specific to these communities, you can use the term BIPOC. For example, “This scholarship is for BIPOC students who have demonstrated leadership in their communities.”

Now you’re in the know! BIPOC is a term that celebrates the richness and diversity of cultures and acknowledges the unique experiences and challenges of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. So, next time you come across this term, imagine the beautiful rainbow it represents, and how each color contributes to making our world more vibrant and diverse.

Check your capacity to have a difficult conversation:

• Ask yourself: Do I have the time, space, emotional, mental and physical energy, knowledge and/or tools to engage in a conversation?
• Acknowledge that you are not the expert - We are all learners and we are all teachers.
• Ask others: Would you like to hear how I experience the situation, the space, the time, or the activity?
• Be intentional -  How do you define the terminology/topic that we are discussing today? And would you be open to exploring the history of the definitions?

Commit to creating a brave space for community conversations:

• STAY ENGAGED: Listen from the Heart | Listen with respect | Leave room for curiosity 
• SPEAK YOUR TRUTH: Speak from the heart | Speak with respect | Honor confidentiality
• DISCOMFORT: Take your time - Discomfort is GROWTH! | Making mistakes are how we learn | Own, acknowledge and take responsibility.
• NON-CLOSURE: No “Fixing” | Not about perfection  | Expect and accept non-closure | Have compassion for each other's learning.

 Engage in deep listen:

• Unhurried | Uninterrupted | Allow space for healing
• Be Curious | Ask for understanding and clarification | Offer humility as you humanize
• Listen to each other | Listen to your neighbors| Listen to your community

Engage and Act:

• Engage and Act with a new awareness, understanding and knowledge and APPLY it.
• Examine policies, procedures and practices that may exclude, dehumanize.
• Develop new plans, policies, procedures and practices.
• Write "new plans" needed to eliminate racism throughout the Kenmore Community!
  • Use your privilege and power to abolish harmful policies and practices, expose inequity and cure it everywhere it exists!
• Join Peace Circles for Racial Healing, establish listening sessions and town halls to engage with the community
• Listen, learn all you can and liberate yourself and others - everywhere, every chance you get.
• Use humility while we historicize and practice humanity with each other.

Watch the training the Kenmore City Council and Staff attended virtually to learn more about where to start:

• December 15 City Council DEI Training with The Root of Us, LLC.

DEI Task Force Background:

In November 2021, the City of Kenmore advertised and performed outreach city-wide, utilizing various channels and social media outlets to recruit for the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force. The talent pool yielded 28 qualified and diverse candidates and was comprised of individuals from a mixed set of demographics and age ranges (16 years up to 90 years). The inaugural group of DEI Task Force members helped analyze, revise, and refine processes to assist in creating and implementing a DEI policy that guides the City in how to make decisions, perform work, and deliver service. The DEI Task Force was sunsetted in 2023 following the adoption of the DEI policy.

Task Force Meetings

The DEIA task force meetings are posted here:

Meeting #1: February 17, 2022       Agenda         Meeting Minutes        Video

Meeting #2: March 10, 2022           Agenda         Meeting Minutes         Video  

Meeting #3: March 24, 2022           Agenda         Meeting Minutes         Video         

Meeting #4: April 7, 2022                Agenda         Meeting Minutes          Video

Meeting #5: April 21, 2022             Agenda         Meeting Minutes           Video         

Meeting #6: June 9, 2022               Agenda         Meeting Minutes           Video

Meeting #7: June 23, 2022            Agenda         Meeting Minutes (Draft)            Video

City Council's 2024 Annual DEIA Update

The July 8, 2024 City Council meeting featured staff and the DEIA Advisory Committee presenting an update to the City Council as to the status of DEIA work in the City.

The evening included:

• Anti-Bias Training with Betsy BeMiller
• Annual DEIA Strategic Plan Implementation Update
• Equity Toolkit Training
• Website Accessibility Tool Demonstration

You can view the presentation on the City's YouTube channel.

DEIA Strategic Plan 

On Monday September 11, 2023, Kenmore City Council adopted the City’s first ever Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Strategic Plan. The Plan incorporates feedback from City Council, staff, and the DEIA Advisory Committee. Implementation of the Strategic Plan has begun. View the DEIA Roadmap Spreadsheet to see specific implementation work items.

DEIA Policy 

On November 14, 2022,  the City Council adopted Kenmore’s first Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) Policy. This policy frames operational goals and establishes a citywide strategic initiative to promote DEIA in the City of Kenmore’s community culture, programs, services, and workplace while fostering a safe, inclusive, and welcoming community for all.

History

On September 14, 2020, Council adopted Resolution 20-348 directing the City Manager to create a plan for outlining funding and resources to develop a racial, equity inclusion policy that honors diversity in the city programs and community. The City Manager calls for community engagement and an atmosphere of trust to honestly ask and answer tough questions in a brave and inclusive space for people of color and other marginalized groups to feel visible, validated and valued in their community. The goal for the Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) policy is to identify actionable steps that will help change Kenmore’s policies and practices that perpetuate racism.  

DEI Task Force Background: 

 2021 DEIA Action Items:

• Develop a DEI Policy and Program

• Develop a DEI Task Force made up of community members

• Hire a consultant to develop the DEI policy/plan in 2021 with implementation starting in 2022 

• Continued City Staff & Council Training

• Creation of Staff DEI Sub-Committee 

2020 DEIA Action Items

• April 2020 Part-time Intern funded 20 hours/week with work focus on DEI
• September 14, 2020 Council meeting, staff presented a background memo reviewing DEI policy and implementation measures in other jurisdictions and memo providing suggestions for a Kenmore DEI policy framework. 

• September 14, 2020 Council Resolution 20-348 directs the City Manager to bring back a plan in early November outlining funding and resources for the process of developing a racial, equity inclusion policy that honors diversity in the city programs and community. 

• August 2020 City of Kenmore joins the Government Alliance for Racial Equity (GARE)

• October 2020 The City of Kenmore hires Root of Us, LLC  to provide DEI training for Council and staff, and provide other DEI related consultation as needed.  

• December 15 City Council DEI Training with The Root of Us