Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs

Our February Bonding and Bridging Young Professionals Hour was a successful partnership with BelongInUtah , The PROG Foundation Development Center, The Dignity Index, and representative Jake Fitisemanu Jr. The purpose of our gathering was to learn about to navigate spaces and the impact building bridges can have. The Dignity Index facilitated conversation around common barriers in disagreements, and how we can develop best practices when it comes to communication, disagree better, and meeting people where they are. Thank you to the PROG Development Center for hosting this months event.

The Utah Global Diplomacy connected with our division to host a conversation with participants taking part in the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program. Our discussion was led by our Multicultural Commission and our MLK Jr. Human Rights Commission to discuss what it means to connect with the community and how to better provide resources in the future. Co-Chair of the Multicultural Commission, Shawn Newell, engaged with proficient leaders, doctors, and nonprofit CEOs from across different countries in a meaningful conversation. Maegan Castleton, staff support for the MLK Jr. Human Rights Commission, was able to share out on the MLK Observance Toolkit and other major accomplishments from the commission. Thank you to the staff at the Utah Global Diplomacy for this opportunity and to our wonderful visitors who asked thoughtful questions and provided meaningful insight. Learn more about our commissions at > https://lnkd.in/geREBQ77

An amazing night with young professionals! Thank you to our speakers, Madeleine Jones and Jake Fitisemanu Jr and to the PROG Foundation for opening their doors for our workshop. Be sure to stay up to date when our next event will be held this spring! https://lnkd.in/gNTUQHHT An additional moment of gratitude to Bailey Rivera-Wymes from the BelongInUtah for being an incredible co-lead along with Claudia Loayza.

Final day to register for our upcoming event in partnership with The Center of Economic Opportunity and Belonging! These networking events are opportunities for young professionals in the 21-35 age range who are primarily, but not limited to, working in the public and private sectors that increase collaboration and community building in Utah. We also welcome all who have transferred to new career fields and are building new networks.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Human Rights Commission held their annual MLK Jr. Day Youth Event in collaborative efforts with the Utah Hockey Club, L3Harris Technologies, and UServe Utah. We brought youth together to build recognition, and appreciation for MLK Jr.'s legacy and principles of nonviolence: a day on, not a day off. Students participated in a service project packing move-in supply kits for The Road Home and learned how they could better serve their own communities. We are honored to dedicate this day to promote what it means to lead with hope, kindness, and service to all who attended. Visit >https://lnkd.in/gSHzRy8w for more information

The Bonding and Bridging Young Professionals Networking Events were created in partnership with BelongInUtah. In December, we celebrated and recognized the work of leaders who are investing in and strengthening community connections. The lesson we want to embody in 2025 is the understanding that we are capable of bridging across divides and leading with hope. We recognized three individuals who embody this mission with our “Bridges of Leadership Awards” to celebrate their impact in their community and beyond. Congratulations to Emilio Manuel Camu, Jenny Mayer-Glenn, and Ed Munoz! > RSVP for our February Event by Friday, Feb. 21st: https://lnkd.in/gSZYSDSw

Calling our emerging professionals in Utah! Join us in partnership with BelongInUtah for an engaging discussion with the Dignity Index and hear from elected official, Jake Fitisemanu Jr., on how he utilizes bridge building to foster collaboration and uplift community needs. This will be an engaging night that inspires civic engagement, meaningful connection, and collaboration for the common good. Date: Thursday, February 27th | 6 PM - 8:00 PM Location: PROG Development Center, 2875 Decker Lake Dr., Ste 150, West Valley City 84119 RSVP by Friday, February 21st: https://lnkd.in/gSZYSDSw

Thank you Commissioner Lunceford and Choberka for representing the MLK Jr. Human Rights Commission on Good Things Utah!

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED - THANK YOU ALL! Do you have a 7th-9th grade youth who wants to spend a dynamic day with the Utah Hockey Club having fun, learning, serving, connecting, and growing in their leadership? The Division of Multicultural Affairs and the Utah MLK Jr. Human Rights Commission have partnered with the Utah Hockey Club to host an exciting event on January 20th to teach youth how to make this a Day on, Not off. Youth will participate in a special program beginning at 3:30 PM that teaches them MLK’s principles of nonviolence, how to create the beloved community, and the power of service. Afterwards, youth and one guardian will be able to attend a FREE home hockey game at 7:30 PM. Registration has officially closed for this event. Subscribe to our newsletter for future events at > https://lnkd.in/gYapdFZs

As this calendar year comes to a close, our team at the Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs feels immense gratitude for the lessons learned, opportunities for growth, and the privilege to serve the state. We are thankful for the efforts of our exceptional community partners, commission members, state leaders, and frontline providers that share in the vision of creating accessible pathways where thriving is available to all who call Utah home. Our division looks forward to new avenues of impact in 2025 by amplifying our data-informed, opportunity-driven, and people-inspired approach to provide the best quality programs for the state and its residents. We further honor organizations that have collaborated with us and allowed us to innovate towards solutions that grow the table for more people to engage so that the beautiful and interconnected mosaic stories of Utah are told and celebrated.? On behalf of our division, we wish you and your loved ones a joy-filled, prosperous, and healthy holiday season and new year!