Ottawa County Diversity Forum returns next week

The sixth annual Ottawa County Diversity Forum returns next week, with this year’s theme focusing on safe and healthy communities.  

The forum, held by the Ottawa County Cultural Intelligence Committee in partnership with the county’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the city of Holland, will take place from 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 20. The platform is virtual again this year. There is a $25 registration fee and the deadline to sign up is Friday, Oct. 15. 

Registration can be done on Ottawa County's website, miottawa.org.

“The Cultural Intelligence Committee and the Diversity Forum Planning team wanted to showcase the ways our community is already addressing safety and health, especially right now. While safety is often thought of as ‘public safety’, we recognize there’s elements of social safety that often get overlooked,” Ottawa County DEI Director Robyn Afrik said in a release.  

“In addition, when we talk about health, we might think of it as purely physical when in fact, it is both mental and psychological. We want to highlight the way partnerships are addressing these needs today and discuss opportunities that keep us getting better." 

This year, the Diversity Forum will feature a keynote presentation from Darnell Blackburn, who will share his experience in public safety, recognizing the ways our communities can work together making it safe and healthy for all. Dr. Joel Robertson, a brain scientist, will also share work.