Three Cities Named Winners in Diversity and Inclusion Awards Program

WASHINGTON — 3/14/18 —The National League of Cities (NLC) named three cities winners of the 2018 City Cultural Diversity Awards. Designed to promote and reward inclusive policies in the nation’s cities, towns and villages, the awards program recognizes communities that have developed innovative ways of supporting diversity.

“Cities across America are celebrating and supporting diversity and inclusion in innovative ways,” said National League of Cities (NLC) President Mark Stodola, mayor of Little Rock, Arkansas. “NLC is proud to honor six communities as pioneers that have demonstrated initiative, resourcefulness and inclusive values in their approach to governing.”

Submissions for the awards program were grouped by size and evaluated on how the program increased citizen participation in government and community activities, as well as the overall scope and impact of the program.

The three communities selected include:  

50,000 and Under:

First Place: Huntington, W. Va.

The Open to All Campaign, actively promotes an inclusive environment for all people in the City of Huntington. The campaign welcomes and encourages all businesses, houses of worship, civic groups and nonprofit organizations to take the “Open to All Pledge” and maintain a safe and welcoming environment for all employees, customers, visitors and vendors.

2^nd Place: Norristown, Pa.

50,001 — 200,000

First Place: Tallahassee, Fla.

The Tallahassee Future Leaders Academy provides teens with mentorship, job readiness training, financial literacy education and summer employment.

2^nd Place: Jacksonville, N.C.

200,000 and Over

First Place: Las Vegas, Nev.

The Latino Network for Southern Nevada is a networking forum for Latino and Latina leaders, community members and organizations that advocate for issues and policies beneficial to the Latino community, with the primary goal of improving education.

2^nd Place: Charlotte, N.C.

The winners were announced at the Congressional City Conference in Washington on Monday, March 12, where 2,300 city leaders and delegates from across the country met to advocate for their communities and discuss solutions for cities.

The awards program is co-sponsored by NLC’s constituency groups, which are five member caucuses within NLC that promote inclusive policies both nationally at the local level.

NLC Constituency Groups:

• APAMO—Asian Pacific American Municipal Officials
• HELO—Hispanic Elected Local Officials
• LGBTLO—Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Local Officials
• NBC-LEO—National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials
• WIMG—Women in Municipal Government.

Press contact: Meri St. Jean (202-626-3167 | stjean@nlc.org)