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EqualityMaine, in the Equality Community Center in Portland. In addition to embracing just people from out of state, companies need to attract and retain a broader mix of diversity to survive and thrive. The larger companies in the state, which have large human resources departments to build diversity training, have been on the forefront of DEI efforts in recent years, says Gia Drew, program director of Equality Maine. “Major corporations have driven DEI. There’s pressure globally to be a good corporate citizen. People are making an effort and making steps in the last few years,” Drew says. Still, work needs to be done. For example, nationally, 46% of LGBTQ+ employees are not open about their sexual orientation at work, Drew says. ....
Katy Trail phase 2 seeks $1.8M in TxDOT funding Herald Democrat The Katy Trail project may soon take a large step toward its final destination in Texoma Health Foundation Park. The Denison City Council recently authorized staff to apply for state funding to build out the $1.8 million second phase of the hike and bike trail system. The city will be applying for funding through the 2021 Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside program, which is overseen by the Texas Department of Transportation. If approved, this would mark the second time that the program has been used to finance the trail system. It has been a true joy seeing the progression of phase one, Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Kimberly Bowen said. I ve had many conversations with community members who have already been enjoying the trail and expressed the delight they find in walking or running the trail daily. ....
Maine’s focus on diversity in hiring may have been energized by this year’s national reckoning on race, as a variety of businesses and organizations in the state pledged to make it a priority, but it began with something more prosaic. Historic unemployment among white workers the past several years meant jobs were going unfilled, and, so, attention turned to Maine’s people of color, whose unemployment numbers stubbornly remained in double digits. “Up until this crisis moment, I think there were good intentions, but people didn’t really know they didn’t know,” says Deb Breiting, cofounder of Maine Intercultural Communication Consultants. Employers’ attitude was often, “We want to hire people as long as they have the skills to fit into our company culture.” ....