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Community Corner

Join Diversity Stride Walk-a-Thon on June 14 to Support Diversity Awareness Education


Lace up your walking shoes and join hundreds of individuals, corporate and community leaders, educators, clergy, and families on Saturday, June 14, in the American Conference on Diversity’s Annual Diversity Stride Walk-a-Thon. The fun-filled day will begin at 10:30 am, with the step-off at 11:30 am, at Buccleuch Park in one of the nation’s top five growing little cities — New Brunswick, NJ! The goal: to help us raise $100,000 to combat discrimination by providing NJ students and educators with diversity and inclusion training.

 

In addition to hours of exercise, networking, and refreshments, Diversity Stride Walk-a-Thon highlights include:

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►Latin/African cultural dance performed by students from Soul Xpressiion School of the Arts

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►Face painting as well as motivational music, games, and prizes provided by New Jersey 101.5 radio station

 

►Announcing the winners of our Jersey City student Diversity Stride poster art contest

 

“This day is dedicated promoting community unity,” says the American Conference on Diversity President and CEO Elizabeth Williams-Riley. “Valuing diversity and promoting respect are part of what our work is all about.”

 

Proceeds from Diversity Stride Walk-a-Thon support programs that provide students and educators with the tools to prevent and address bullying and increase diversity awareness and respect for people of all races, faiths, ethnicities, sexual identities/expressions, and ages on their campuses. American Conference on Diversity’s youth leadership-development programs include:

Lead for Diversity (LFD) is a year-long initiative beginning with a summer residential retreat experience. The program brings teams of students from high schools across New Jersey together. Students create action plans specific to their school district, which they implement throughout the school year. Each year, the LFD schools’ action plans impact an estimated 20,000 New Jersey students.

Manytown Human Relations Youth Forums are regional one-day programs that provide the opportunity for students from diverse backgrounds to improve the climates in their schools and communities.

Awareness to Action is a customized workshop that uses experiential activities to infuse a greater understanding of diversity, inclusion, and anti-bullying into students’ learning environments. The program builds knowledge and skills around diversity and social justice issues.

College Connection fosters personal learning and promotes a deeper understanding of, and respect for, diversity. The program enhances learning by building campus community, offering internship experiences, and providing hands-on diversity training opportunities.

School Swap brings together two demographically different schools so students can explore the differences and similarities that exist among them. This program allows participants to experience a day in the life of their peers from different schools. Learn more about these programs athttp://americanconferenceondiversity.org/youth-collegiateor email Pam@AmericanConferenceonDiversity.org.

 

Whether you join Diversity Stride Walk-a-Thon as an individual or start a Walk team, register at http://DiversityStrideNJ.kintera.org/2014. Complimentary team photos will be taken at the event. Walkers who raise $75 or more will receive a Diversity Stride t-shirt on Walk Day. Walkers raising $125 or more are eligible to receive a variety of prizes. Employees can also maximize their gift at no extra cost through their employer matching gifts program. Interested in becoming a Diversity Stride volunteer? Please email pjones@jmcreativeenterprises.com for details.

 

Special thanks to the Diversity Stride 2014 Leading Sponsor, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, for the company’s commitment to diversity and the American Conference on Diversity’s mission and vision. We would also like to thank New Jersey City University for hosting a silent auction of artwork that helped raise nearly $2,500 already! To view images of the artwork, please visit http://svillamizar.wix.com/silent-auction-2014. In addition, gratitude to the following for organizing teams and/or sponsoring Diversity Stride: ADP, BASF, CRUNCH Fitness, Investors Bank, L’Oréal USA, New Jersey Resources, PSEG, ShopRite, St. Peter’s Healthcare System, and Walmart.

About the American Conference on Diversity

The programs, services, and initiatives of the American Conference on Diversity are among the most important work focused on creating a more inclusive society. It is the unfinished business of living in a highly diverse nation: educating and empowering our next generation of leaders; enhancing our workplaces; and helping to create inclusive communities. The American Conference on Diversity, which has been serving schools, organizations, workplaces, and communities in New Jersey since 1948, builds on a historic mission and creates programs and activities relevant and vital to 21st Century life. It is a journey we can all take together. The American Conference on Diversity operates Regional Community Networks covering all of New Jersey. Visit www.AmericanConferenceonDiversity.org to learn more.

Contact:

Gail Zoppo

Media Relations Consultant

109 Church Street

New Brunswick, NJ 08901

gail@AmericanConferenceonDiversity.org 

732-745-9330

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