Celebrating Diversity
Overview
What is diversity?
"It is the range of human differences, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, social class, physical ability or attributes, religious or ethical values system, national origin, and political beliefs." (Ferris State Uni)
How diverse is Dayton?
The three largest ethnic groups include:
White (Non-Hispanic) = 70.1K
Black / African American = 53K
Multiracial (Non-hispanic) = 6.21K
American Indian = 0.4%
Asian = 1.4%
Why does this matter?
In order to celebrate diversity, we need to understand and recognize different cultures and backgrounds among others to grow as a community.
We must also recognise privilege within communities and how to solve it.
Dayton's immigration program
Dayton has a large immigration population (25,400 immigrants lived in Montgomery County in 2019).
WelcomeDayton, launched in 2011, supports the integration of immigrants into the Dayton Community.
These include countries from: Mexico, China, India, Vietnam, Guatemala and Rwanda
Why does this matter?
Immigrants are 30 percent more likely to start their own business.
Ohio has 22,370 foreign students who contribute $583.9 million to the state economy.
Small businesses owned by immigrants employed an estimated 4.7million people in 2007, and generated more than $776 billion annually.
Sexuality
Ohio doesn’t have a state-wide law that protects LGBTQ people from discrimination and means many can be fired from their job, denied hosing and even asked to leave a public facility or denied access to appropriate restrooms.
27,000 LGBTQ people of all ages in Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio.
Percent of LGBTQ Adults (25+) Raising Children = 30%
Total LGBTQ Workers = 298,000
Gender
Dayton stands in top 10 for national ranking, best places to work for women in 2023.
51% of the population is female.
49% of the population is male.
Dayton is ranked #1 for women's working potential in 2023.
Class
Dayton has one of the highest poverty rates in the nation
25.4% persons below poverty line
24.4% = bachelor's degree or higher
Household income
56% under 50K
14% 100K - 200K
52% = owner-occupied housing units of 100K
4% = owner-occupied housing units of 300K-400K
Why should we celebrate diversity?
To foster respect and open mindfulness for other cultures.
Strengthen the development of a community.
Create inclusion that helps unite and educate.
Overall promotes cultural enrichment, increased creativity, improved lifestyle, stronger community ties, greater civic engagement, and economic growth.
Our goals
To bring awareness to people's identity and celebrating differences especially in the workplace, community and schools.
Proposed Solutions
Celebrating diversity in your everyday life is crucial for the overall amelioration of public life. As a leader, educator, parent, and/or member of your community, there are questions to consider when wanting to better the current status of individual diversity efforts. Here are some examples:
Diversity in the Workplace
Maintaining a workplace of people with varying backgrounds, perspectives, skills, and lifestyles with an equal opportunity for all.
Questions to Consider:
What is the current demographic makeup of your workforce?
Why is diversity important to your organization?
How can you ensure fair and unbiased hiring practices?
What steps are being taken to ensure pay equity?
How does the organization handle diversity-related conflicts?
Diversity in the Community
Working together to ensure inclusion within public life and celebrate cultural differences.
Questions to Consider:
What is the demographic makeup of the community?
Is there an awareness of the unique challenges faced by different groups within the community?
Are there cultural events or celebrations that can be supported?
How accessible are your services to diverse populations?
What partnerships can be formed with local community organizations?
Diversity in Schools
Helping students learn about diversity and to respect each other no matter race, culture, ethnic orientation, etc.
Questions to Consider:
What is the current demographic makeup of the student body and staff?
How can the curriculum reflect and embrace diverse perspectives?
How can you create a safe and inclusive space for students of all backgrounds?
Are there student organizations or clubs that celebrate diversity?
What steps are taken to address bullying or discrimination based on diversity?
Current Activities in Dayton
Making sure your community/institution is a model of inclusion with equal opportunity can be difficult to ensure. After considering the questions above, check out some recent efforts to celebrate diversity in Dayton. Take these efforts into consideration and assess how your institution can mirror these collective affirmative actions as well as elaborate on their successes.
Within the workplace
Company culture event calendar = Hosting events that CELEBRATE diversity and promote inclusion.
Diversity education and resource groups = Establish employee resource groups that provide support and networking opportunities for underrepresented employees.
E.G.: Cultural festivals, guest speakers and workshops.
Fuyao Glass America = A Chinese company implementing both Chinese and American workers to work together despite cultural differences.
They need to do better in the treatment and respect of their workers and in doing so, creating workshops to improve work relationships.
Many did invite Chinese workers to the home to improve work relationship and managed to create friendships that helped workflow.
University of Dayton = Office of Diversity and Inclusion provides support for strategies to improve work on diversity, equity and inclusion.
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial = shows the work of the civil rights movement and encourages the University to step forward in celebrating and embracing diversity.
Human Rights Center
Mission: to create a positive change through research, education and dialogue. At the heart of a global human rights community, we are committed to bridging the gap between theory and practice, between scholars and practitioners.
Equity and Compliance Office
Mission: a commitiment to promoting the goals of fairness and equity in all aspects of its operations. A primary assertion of both our religious and civil traditions is the inviolable dignity of each person.
Within the community
There are so many examples of organizations within the Dayton community that strive to encourage diversity and inclusivity. These organizations openly celebrate diversity by making it easier for wide ranges of people to have access to information and experiences that will teach them more about the world around them. These organizations strive to get everyone in the community involved, not discriminating against and/or excluding people due to their class, age, gender, sexuality, disabilities, race, etc. We have listed a few notable organizations in Dayton, Ohio below...
Welcome Dayton https://www.daytonohio.gov/998/Welcome-Dayton
The initiative states its mission as "supporting integration of immigrants into the Dayton community by encouraging business and economic development, providing access to education, government, health and social services, ensuring equity in the justice system, and promoting arts and culture."
The Dayton Art Institute https://www.daytonartinstitute.org/
They host art exhibitions that celebrate different cultures. A few of these exhibitions include Around Tokyo: Hiroshige II's Views of Famous Places in Edo and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec: The Birth of Modern Paris.
Levitt Pavilion https://levittdayton.org/
They host a variety of events that help celebrate diversity such as Black History Month Celebrations, Friendship Celebrations, Anti-Bullying nights, and so much more. They also offer free admission nights, which encourages participation from lower income community members that may not be able to afford tickets to other community events. In addition to all of that, they have an easy to use website with accessibility adaptations available for those with certain disabilities and language barriers.
Dayton Performing Arts Alliance https://daytonperformingarts.org/
They host a variety of events including A Drag Queen Christmas, Shen Yun Performing Arts, and many more. They also offer tickets to sensory friendly versions for some of their productions.
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church https://www.daytongreekfestival.com/?fbclid=IwAR1_BS2lk9YeUjlrBhP2iwo2t2XNpqnQ9miz90uQ-PgJ1xJPurzibp0RBo4
They are very involved in the community, particularly with their hosting of the annual Greek Festival.
Dayton Liederkranz-Turner https://daytongermanclub.org/
They host many German themed events in the Dayton community, such as the Germanfest Picnic, Christkindlmarkt, St. Martin's Day celebrations, German Dance lessons, and much more.
The Greater Dayton LGBT Center https://www.daytonlgbtcenter.org/
They provide "event spaces, activities, and resources that encourage advocacy, education, and entertainment" for the LGBTQIA+ community. One of the biggest events that they host to help celebrate diversity in Dayton is the annual Pride Parade.
Within the schools
University of Dayton
University of Dayton celebrates diversity through fraternities and sororities (like the "Divine Nine") and create events like bowling nights, movie watching, bake offs and step shows.
Different on Campus Organizations
Indian Association
Asian American Association (AAA)
Multi-Ethnic Education and Engagement Center (MEC)
UD Irish Dance Team
Dayton Public Schools
Hispanic heritage month = Dayton Public Schools teach to celebrate Hispanic heritage and be proud of your culture.
Office for Cultural Engagement & Inclusion
In the classroom fostering an appreciation for diversity.
Diverse Athletic Activities
Increase understanding of social justice issues among community-related activities
Confront stereotypes and Biases head-on.
Creates a safe space for all to learn grow and develop cross-cultural competency inclusiveness.
Office for Males and Females of Color
Student Clubs with a variety of different Ethnic Ambassadors
What can we continue to do to CELEBRATE DIVERSITY?
Continue to organise events that allows for inclusivity of all identities.
Recognize privilege = even those of us from marginalised groups may have privilege in other aspects of our identity.
Take employment, school, or community-based workshops to meet new people whenever you can.
Citations
Data USA, DAYTON, OH (https://datausa.io/profile/geo/dayton-oh/#:~:text=Population%20%26%20Diversity&text=In%202021%2C%20there%20were%201.32,third%20most%20common%20ethnic%20groups.)
Texas, The University of Texas at Austin (January 2023). "What are the Benefits of Living in a Diverse City?" (https://sites.utexas.edu/discovery/2023/01/06/what-are-the-benefits-of-living-in-a-diverse-city/#:~:text=Economic%20growth%20%E2%80%93%20Diverse%20communities%20drive,productivity%20levels%20and%20increased%20revenue.)
ChartHop, Sharon Rusinowitz (October 2022), "4 Ways to Celebrate Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace. (https://www.charthop.com/resources/blog/dei/celebrate-diversity-inclusion-workplace/)
Levitt Pavilion, Dayton (April 2021), "2021 - New initiatives at the Levitt Pavilion Dayton." (https://levittdayton.org/news/2021-new-initiatives-at-the-levitt-pavilion-dayton/)
Ticketsales.com, "Mead Theatre at Schuster PAC." (https://www.ticketsales.com/mead-theatre-at-schuster-pac-tickets/venue?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAmNeqBhD4ARIsADsYfTe4sRS4id4VT2-EnAuCEDFtZedskrqmAAH5fSdrhpB3AnkcR2q__JEaAtrZEALw_wcB)
Oberer Homes, "9 Popular Cultural Festivals in Dayton, Ohio." (https://www.obererhomes.com/9-popular-cultural-festivals-in-dayton-ohio/)
Hispanic Heritage Month | Dayton Public Schools (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOJ3xqp6DZI)
Office for Cultural Engagement & Inclusion (Office for Cultural Engagement & Inclusion | Dayton Public Schools (dps.k12.oh.us)
Inclusive Employers, What is privilege? How to navigate it at work. https://www.inclusiveemployers.co.uk/blog/what-is-privilege-how-to-navigate/#:~:text=Raising%20awareness%20of%20privilege%20can,barriers%20that%20are%20in%20place.
Diversity and Inclusion Office. (n.d.). Diversity and inclusion definitions. Ferris State University. https://www.ferris.edu/administration/president/DiversityOffice/Definitions.htm#:~:text=Diversity%20is%20the%20range%20of,national%20origin%2C%20and%20political%20beliefs.
LGBTQ+ in Dayton, OH: Community, Advocacy & Events. LGBTQ+ in Dayton, OH | Community, Advocacy & Events. (n.d.). https://www.daytoncvb.com/lgbt/
City of Dayton. (n.d.). Welcome Dayton: Dayton, OH. Dayton. https://www.daytonohio.gov/998/Welcome-Dayton
Movement Advancement Project. (n.d.). Ohio’s Equality Profile. LGBTQ Map. https://www.lgbtmap.org/equality-map-profiles/OH.pdf
Census profile: Dayton, OH. Census Reporter. (n.d.). https://censusreporter.org/profiles/16000US3921000-dayton-oh/
Mistretta, N. (2023, November 6). Dayton stands in top 10 for national ranking, best places to work for women in 2023. Bizjournals.com. https://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/news/2023/11/06/best-places-for-women-to-work-in-2023.html
Dayton Art Institute. (2023, July 20). https://www.daytonartinstitute.org/
Levitt Pavilion Dayton. (n.d.). https://levittdayton.org/
Dayton Performing Arts Alliance. (2023). https://daytonperformingarts.org/
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. (n.d.). Greek Fest Express. Dayton Greek Festival. https://www.daytongreekfestival.com/?fbclid=IwAR1_BS2lk9YeUjlrBhP2iwo2t2XNpqnQ9miz90uQ-PgJ1xJPurzibp0RBo4
Dayton Liederkranz-Turner. (n.d.). German-American Club since 1890. https://daytongermanclub.org/?doing_wp_cron=1701209511.0294868946075439453125
Greater Dayton LGBTQ Center, Inc. (n.d.). Greater Dayton LGBT Center. Dayton LGBT Center. https://www.daytonlgbtcenter.org/
LEGAL DISCRIMINATION: LGBTQ https://www.acluohio.org/en/legal-discrimination
LGBTQ+ in Dayton, OH | Community, Advocacy & Events (daytoncvb.com)
Dayton ranks #1 for women's earning potential in 2023 - Dayton Business Journal (bizjournals.com)