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As a convener and connector for leaders in business, government, and the community, EngageNWA provides a platform to demonstrate shared values, practical strategies for engagement, and positive results around efforts to build an inclusive region.

LET’S ACHIEVE IT TOGETHER

SHARED VALUES

YOU BELONG

Your experiences, insights, hard work, and care and concern for your family and your future is what makes Northwest Arkansas a place where creativity, competitive advantage, and community thrive.

PRACTICAL ENGAGEMENT

DIVERSITY TALK IS EASY

But translating buzz words into meaningful action is hard, and this is true whether you’re a department of one or 100. EngageNWA connects leaders to a community of peers and offers practical guides, resources, and trainings to help you–at every stage–create a more diverse and inclusive environment.

POSITIVE RESULTS

SUPPORTING YOUR EFFORTS

We’re excited about the variety and volume of efforts supported and implemented across multiple sectors and communities to make Northwest Arkansas a diverse and inclusive region. EngageNWA highlights, promotes, and shares behind-the-scenes assessments, decision-making, pivots, and successes that can inspire and challenge others to take similar steps in their respective spheres.

How It All Began

BACKGROUND

Launched in 2013 as a joint venture between The Jones Trust and the Northwest Arkansas Council, EngageNWA was founded on the principle that diverse communities perform better economically, and in our increasingly global economy, the regions that embrace these challenges will thrive. Engaging this diversity–across all levels, sectors, and communities–is how we will secure our region’s place as one of the nation’s best places to live and work.

In 2017, a regional strategic planning process for diversity and inclusion created an actionable roadmap for partners across multiple sectors to work toward the common goal of maximizing inclusion of everyone in Northwest Arkansas. EngageNWA, operating within the Northwest Arkansas Council, was tasked with facilitating the priorities and initiatives of that plan.

The Council and EngageNWA launched the NWA Leadership Pledge in the summer of 2020 to acknowledge systemic racism and commit to work towards creating a more just, equitable and inclusion region. To date, 222 organizations signed the pledge, including the region’s leading companies, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations and health care providers. EngageNWA provides regular learning and engagement opportunities for pledge supporters and the broader community to advance DEI as a regional priority. 

OUR PARTNERS

EngageNWA is supported by its founding partners, Walmart and Tyson Foods, as well as a variety of government, business, educational, and community partners.

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