A three-year pilot initiative

TRUE

TRUE Northwest Arkansas is a program that aims to nurture and train the next legion of local champions for diversity and inclusion. These champions will be comprised of cohort participants who represent partners from multiple sectors including nonprofit organizations, government agencies, public institutions (educational institutions, hospitals, etc.) and faith-based organizations.

The program is an initiative of the Arkansas Community Foundation, with support from the Walmart Foundation and the Walton Family Foundation. It is led through Converge — a social justice consulting firm based in New Orleans, Louisiana that works with organizations to create more equitable, diverse and inclusive communities across the country.

Converge will lead the first Northwest Arkansas TRAIN cohort for 8 months starting this year. In those eight months, the cohort will have access to opportunities for shared learning experiences, strategies for best practices and technical assistance in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion space.

The 2019 TRAIN cohort includes:

  • Bike NWA
  • Care Community Center Inc.
  • Circle of Life
  • Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
  • Downtown Bentonville Inc.
  • Downtown Springdale Alliance
  • Fayetteville Public Library
  • Fayetteville School District #1
  • John Brown University
  • Northwest Arkansas Council
  • Northwest Arkansas Food Bank
  • NWA Center for Sexual Assault
  • Ozark Literacy Council
  • Scott Family Amazeum
  • Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Northwest Arkansas Inc.
  • Sunshine School & Development Center
  • Theatre Squared, Inc.
  • Tricycle Theatre for Youth
  • University of Arkansas Office for Diversity and Inclusion
  • Walton Arts Center Council, Inc.

The strategic goals for the program are right in its name:

T for Train, R for report, U for uplift and E for Engage – all with the focus to build diversity and inclusion values into our community.

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