Title
Special Recognition - National Recreation and Parks Association Diversity Scholarship Recipient Olivia Salazar de Breaux
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Recognize Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Specialist Olivia Salazar de Breaux as a recipient of the National Recreation and Parks Association Diversity Scholarship.
Report
Issue:
Whether to Recognize Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Specialist Olivia Salazar de Breaux as a recipient of the National Recreation and Parks Association Diversity Scholarship.
Staff Contact:
Paul Simmons, Parks, Arts, and Recreation Director, (360)753-8462
Presenter(s):
Paul Simmons, Parks, Arts, and Recreation Director
Background and Analysis:
The National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) Diversity Scholarship supports individuals from historically underrepresented groups in the parks and recreation community and demonstrates outstanding contributions serving diverse communities. Olivia Salazar de Breaux was one of people two chosen across the nation, and the person from Washington State, to receive the Diversity Scholarship this year.
Ms. Salazar de Breaux shares an immense passion and enthusiasm for the field of parks, arts, and recreation, making her a perfect fit for this scholarship. Her role at the City of Olympia as an Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Specialist in the Parks, Arts and Recreation Department is to be an ambassador of the shared values of diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging, to cultivate authentic connections among staff as well as with the community; to seek restorative practices and bridge building; and facilitate collective and collaborative growth opportunities.
Ms. Salazar de Breaux has also played a pivotal role in working with local organizations and individuals to host a new series of authentic cultural events such as Juneteenth, Black History Month, and Indigenous Peoples’ Day. She actively supported the Capital City Pride Festival and Latinx Youth Summit on behalf of the City. Over the next year she plans to foster additional partnerships and expand the City’s cultural events offerings.
As a 2022 Diversity Scholarship recipient, Olivia was recognized at the “Best of the Best Award Ceremony” at the national conference in Phoenix, Arizona. She was also fully compensated for her conference registration, lodging, airfare, and travel expenses. She also was assigned a conference mentor. A primary focus of the program is to inspire future participation and leadership in NRPA and to develop professional contacts.
Attachments:
None