Five Cities Diversity Coalition

The Five Cities Diversity Coalition, also known as the Diversity Coalition San Luis Obispo County, is a US nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within communities. The organization focuses on creating and sustaining a coalition that advocates for and educates the community on these values.

Mission and Programs

The mission of the Five Cities Diversity Coalition is to build and sustain a coalition that seeks a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive community through advocacy and education. Key programs include:

• School Speaker Program: This program connects communities with diverse speakers and panelists through public presentations.
• BIPOC Board Leadership Training: Provides training to BIPOC professionals to enhance their board leadership skills and facilitates board placement assistance for nonprofits looking to diversify their boards.
• SLO Equity Podcast: Explores systemic racism and unconscious bias in San Luis Obispo County, sharing stories of minorities affected by these issues and those working towards better diversity and equity.
• Women of Color Network: Aims to celebrate achievements and amplify the voices of women of color while fostering connections to promote inclusivity and equity.
• Fostering Understanding in Our Community: Builds on the speaker program to enhance community engagement with diverse perspectives.

Governance and Impact

The organization is led by a board of directors composed of community leaders committed to its mission. As of recent years, the board included members such as Dr. Cornel Morton, Michael Boyer, Jane Rowland, Jean DeCosta, Joe Whitaker, Sarah Conn, Kendra Paulding, and Kathleen Minck. The Five Cities Diversity Coalition collaborates with various community partners to fulfill its objectives of creating a more inclusive community environment.