From Your President: Engaging Community
Posted by SEC2021 on Feb. 23, 2024 / Subscribe 0
Highlighting community engagement at our first in-person event of the year was a great idea. Thanks to programming committee member Jamie Ayala (ULV) and board members Chris Perez and Jessica Newton of Westbound Communications and Deanna Hendrick of Inland Empire Health Plan Foundation for their work to arrange the event at the Riverside Art Museum, a 2023 recipient of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service. Participants at the Feb. 21 event learned from Riverside Art Museum’s Executive Director Drew Oberjuerge and Cheech Artistic Director Maria Esther Fernandez about how the RAM supports the community through activities that promote culture and encourage dialogue. A tour and discussion of museum artwork by Fernandez was a memorable and special treat!
We’re so fortunate to have outstanding arts and cultural organizations that serve Inland Empire communities. Staffs are doing a lot on small budgets (Riverside County receives one-ninth of the foundation funding that Los Angeles gets), and their work is no less important than in other regions. We applaud what they do and understand how important it is to everyone.
Let’s continue to support each other as we work to get the word out that the Inland Empire is a region of remarkable opportunities and resources; we highlight another great example of this—the relatively new Institute for Civil Rights in Riverside—in this newsletter. Celebrating and effectively communicating the best aspects of the Inland Empire is crucial for promoting the region's unique identity and fostering a sense of pride among its residents. By highlighting its diverse cultural heritage, vibrant communities and economic opportunities, we can attract investment, tourism and talent to the area. Showcasing success stories and achievements within the Inland Empire helps to inspire and motivate individuals, businesses and organizations to continue striving for excellence, contributing to the region's overall growth and prosperity.
While our titles and organizations may be different, we are united by a common purpose to “build mutual understanding, credibility, and relationships among a wide array of institutions and audiences.” One great way to do this is by learning more about the diverse audiences we serve. If you need ideas and information, PRSA has compiled excellent resources for Black History Month and beyond.
Let’s continue the conversations and learn from each other.
Stephanie Graham, APR
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