UUS Creates Diversity Outreach Committee to Expand Inclusivity

Post Author
Vicki Siefers

In November of 2024 UUS held a Climate Justice Revival. It was an ambitious all day meeting involving lots of congregational members as well as community members. All day we brainstormed possible ways to tackle our planet’s impending climate disaster. One way to break down such a large issue is to look at many factors and focus on trying to make a difference in some smaller way.

One of the subcommittees that came out of the revival is the Diversity Outreach Committee which has been partnered with the UUS Radical Welcoming Committee. Members of the Diversity Outreach committee are: Quanda Hood, Chair, Bev Haas, Kara Beauchamp, Diana Henry, Vicki Siefers, and Dave Martin.

The Diversity Outreach Committee is dedicated to inclusion and the increase of diversity at UUS.  Our mission statement reads:  

We aim to identify and engage with communities not traditionally represented within the current Unitarian Universalist (UU) demographic. Through mindful investigation and intentional relationship-building, we seek to collaborate with these communities in their spaces, co-creating events and initiatives that authentically introduce and share UU values. By fostering genuine partnerships, we strive to expand inclusivity while navigating this work with awareness and respect for their unique paths, beliefs, and organizations.

A Beacon of Hope

In the current political climate in Iowa our work is more important than ever. The rights of transgender people have been trampled upon and it is a short leap to the loss of rights for the rest of the LGBTQ community. DEI has been vilified and eliminated in our public universities and schools. We need to be a beacon of hope and inclusion for the community.

What We’re Doing

Our first event was an organized group trip to the African American Museum in Cedar Rapids on February 8. We had a group of 15 people who toured the museum to learn more about Black history in Iowa and see the special exhibit:  Racist Items in the American Household. Then we had lunch together at NewBo to unpack what we had learned and enjoy fellowship.

In the future we hope to have a presence or volunteer at events like the Iowa City Pride Festival, Juneteenth and possibly to tour a mosque in the area. If interested in joining us at our monthly Zoom meeting on the last Wednesday of the month, please contact Quanda at [email protected] or a member of the committee.