Inclusive Communities

Today is the International Day of Dialogue Among Civilizations.

In a diverse community like Omaha, dialogue helps us build understanding across different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. It’s not about agreement—it’s about listening, learning, and staying curious.

Today, take a moment to connect with someone whose experience is different from your own.

More than 160 languages are spoken in Omaha Public Schools and more than 100 in Millard Public Schools, reminding us that our diversity is one of our community’s greatest strengths.

Since 1938, Inclusive Communities has worked to confront prejudice, bigotry, and discrimination while building communities where everyone feels they belong.

That mission continues today through community engagement, leadership development, and partnerships that help create lasting change.

This week, Executive Director Cammy Watkins spoke at Reignite 2 Unite about the connection between community engagement and systems change.

The conversation reinforced a belief that meaningful change happens when communities are included, heard, and empowered to help shape the future.

Learn more about our work at: inclusive-communities.org

Young people are already leading conversations about belonging, identity, and fairness in their schools and communities.

IncluCity helps strengthen those leadership skills through dialogue, relationship-building, and hands-on learning experiences rooted in empathy and civic engagement.

Through camps, workshops, and the Youth Impact Summit, students across Nebraska, Iowa, and the Omaha Metro area come together to practice difficult conversations, challenge bias, and imagine more inclusive communities.

We believe young people’s voices, experiences, and leadership help shape what comes next.

Learn more about our programs and partnerships at: https://www.inclusive-communities.org/

June is Pride Month.

Across our community, LGBTQ+ people continue to create space for honesty, care, and belonging. Often in the face of misunderstanding or harm. Pride is both a celebration and a reminder of the ongoing work toward safety and dignity.

This month, we’re thinking about what it means to move beyond visibility and toward real inclusion, where people are not just seen, but supported.

We invite you to reflect: What helps people feel like they truly belong where you are?

Thank you to Hiya for inviting Inclusive Communities to be part of the first Mental Health Fair at Burke High School during Mental Health Awareness Month.

Creating spaces where young people feel seen, supported, and connected matters. Through programs like IncluCity and our Youth Summit, we remain committed to helping youth build belonging, leadership, and community.

We’re grateful to stand alongside organizations creating meaningful conversations around mental health and wellness for young people.

Today is World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.

Culture shapes how we see the world, how we communicate, and how we connect with one another. It influences what we value, what we carry forward, and how we understand our place in a community.

But understanding across cultures doesn’t happen automatically.

It takes time.
It takes attention.
And it takes a willingness to move beyond assumptions.

Dialogue is where that work begins

Not in having all the answers, but in being open to learning, to listening, and to seeing things from a different perspective.

That’s how stronger, more connected communities take shape.

We’re excited to continue our Board Spotlight series by highlighting another valued member of our Inclusive Communities Board of Directors: Stephen Gutierrez-Sager!

Stephen has served on the IC board for 6 years. He lives in Las Vegas with his partner and works as an HR professional for a national company. He is also a member of SHRM and serves on the board of his local chapter. During Stephen's time with Inclusive Communities, he has been instrumental in streamlining our Governance practices and updating our succession planning and Bylaws. His expertise has been invaluable, and we are so grateful for his leadership and dedication to the IC board, especially given the time zone difference!

He served as the Chair of our HR and Governance committee and Secretary during his tenure.

Stay tuned as we spotlight more of our board members, the dedicated leaders helping build stronger, more inclusive communities every day! 💛

🌟 Ready to elevate your skills? Registration deadline extended to Friday, May 22nd! Join our 4th Quarterly IC Network Workshop!
https://conta.cc/4v2gOZi

Reminder: Registration Closes May 20th for the FREE Workshop with Inclusive Communities! Email from Inclusive Communities You don't want to miss this.   Register for the 4th Quarterly IC Network Workshop!     Download Workshop Flyer     Inclusive Communities | 1941 S 42nd St #380 | Om

Today is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia.

For many, identity is not something that can be expressed freely or safely. It’s shaped by environments, by systems, and by the ways people are received when they show up as themselves.

Creating inclusive communities means more than acceptance.

It means paying attention.
Listening to lived experiences.
Challenging the assumptions that create harm.
And making space where people don’t have to question whether they belong.

That kind of environment doesn’t happen by accident.
It’s built through everyday actions, and through people choosing to show up for one another in meaningful ways.

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. A time to celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of AAPI communities while recognizing the diversity of identities, traditions, and experiences within them.

This month offers an opportunity to learn from AAPI voices, honor the generations who have shaped our communities, and reflect on the resilience and leadership that continue to inspire change today.

As we celebrate AAPI Heritage Month, may we continue making space for stories, cultures, and conversations that help strengthen understanding, connection, and belonging.