A community alliance built on community values
The Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance seeks to dismantle racial, socioeconomic, and institutional barriers to ensure that people of all ethnic backgrounds have equal access and opportunity to participate fully in the life of the community.
The Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance seeks to dismantle racial, socioeconomic, and institutional barriers to ensure that people of all ethnic backgrounds have equal access and opportunity to participate fully in the life of the community.
Contact Information Mailing: P.O. Box 2945, Holland, MI 49422 Phone: (616) 846-9074 Office: 665 136th Ave, Holland, MI 49424 History In 1996, knowledge that an African-American family moved out of the community because they were not welcome or accepted spurred 18 concerned lakeshore residents to meet, with determination to address racial intolerance, dismantle racial barriers, celebrate diversity and empower residents accepting of racial/ethnic diversity. They founded the North Ottawa Ethnic Diversity Alliance (NOEDA), a grassroots, volunteer-driven non-profit based in the Tri-Cities communities of Grand Haven, Ferrysburg, and Spring Lake. Within two years, NOEDA’s programming expanded to meet identified needs in other communities along the lakeshore, including Holland and Muskegon. Renamed the Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance to reflect its broader focus, a full-time executive director and staff were hired. From this beginning, the Diversity Alliance has grown. Today, it includes hundreds of volunteers and thousands of program participants, supported by a professional staff, a dedicated board of directors, a growing number of donors, and many thousands of individuals receiving the organization's e-newsletters and announcements. [download brochure] Partnerships The Diversity Alliance works closely with many organizations throughout the lakeshore region to disseminate programs, share resources and collaborate on various projects to promote inclusion. · The Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony · Bob and Aleicia Woodrick Diversity Center · City of Holland · City of Grand Haven · Fair Housing Center of Western Michigan · Good Samaritan Ministries · Grand Rapids Area Center for Ecumenism (GRACE) · Grand Valley State University · Hispanic Center of Western Michigan · Holland Area Chamber of Commerce · Hope College, Office of Multicultural Education · Latin Americans United For Progress · Macatawa Area Coordinating Council · National Resource Center for the Healing of Racism · Ottawa/Allegan Migrant Resource Council · Public School Systems of Holland, Grand Haven, Zeeland, and West Ottawa · Private Schools: Holland Christian, Corpus Christi, and St. Mary’s Catholic · Reciprocal Language Partnership · West Michigan Chamber Coalition · West Michigan Strategic Alliance |
Staff · Gail Harrison, Executive Director leda@ethnicdiversity.org · Zahabia Ahmed-Usmani, Special Projects Manager zahabia@ethnicdiversity.org · Raechel Haller, Operations Director admin@ethnicdiversity.org · Sarah Salguera, Program Director program@ethnicdiversity.org · Yadira Martinez, Spanish Instructor Board of Directors The Board of Directors, comprised of individuals deeply committed to promoting the understanding an elimination of racism, develops the strategic direction and manages the business and affairs of the organization. · Heather Medina Sauceda, Board President USDA-NRCS · Nancy Haynes, Board Vice President Fair Housing Center of West Michigan · Nancy Collins, Board Secretary · Maria Olga Mier, Board Treasurer Chemical Bank · Robyn Afrik, Good Samaritan Ministries · Carolina Contreras-Hernandez, Hope College · Rodrigo De Grau, Holland Christian Schools · Jack Dykstra, Holland Police Department · Vanessa Greene, M.Ed., Hope College · Aaron Hilliard, Muskegon Community College · Fred Johnson III, Ph.D., Hope College · Analia Morrison · Amy E. Otis-De Grau, Hope College · Tedd Parsons, West Michigan Strategic Alliance · Darla Robinson · Luis Ruiz, Christ Memorial Church · Patricia Strachan · Diane Talo, Delton Kellogg Middle School Advisory Council Comprised of chief executives and community leaders, help establish leadership consensus regarding key priorities, action strategies and performance measures that will have the greatest impact on achieving community and organization cultures that are genuinely welcoming and inclusive to all. · James W.F. Brooks, Board Co-Chair Managing Partner at Brooks Capital Management · Bob Woodrick, Board Co-Chair Retired CEO of D&W Food Stores · Franco Bianchi, President/CEO, of Haworth, Inc. · Dr. James Bultman, President of Hope College · Tony Castillo, Owner of Milagro Six, Inc · Noel Cuellar, CEO of Primera Plastics · Thomas Haas, President of Grand Valley State University · Dorothy A. Johnson, Trustee at W.K. Kellogg Foundation · Larry Koops, Senior Vice President at Fifth Third Bank · Rodney Martin, Diversity Partner at Warner Norcross & Judd, LLP · Lawrence J. Murphy, Partner at Varnum Law, LLP · Jeffrey Padnos, President of Louis Padnos Iron & Metal · Pastor Mike Pitsenberger of Christ Memorial Church · Lynne Sherwood, Trustee at JSJ Corporation Foundation · Alan G. Vanderberg, County Administrator of Ottawa County · Brian Walker, President/CEO of Herman Miller
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