Follow the lead of Pleasant Hill’s Diversity Commission

PLEASANT HILL, CA (Mar. 4, 2025) — At our Feb. 3 City Council meeting, I read a resolution passed in 2017 confirming our city’s commitment to be a welcoming and inclusive city.

With all the turmoil happening in our nation, this seemed an appropriate time to reaffirm our dedication to this principle.

After the city adopted this resolution, the council charged our Civic Action Commission with finding more ways to bring inclusivity into our activities. This resulted in the formation of the Diversity Subcommittee, which later transitioned into a stand-alone Diversity Commission.

Both groups have done an incredible job reaching out to many marginalized groups in our community. They started Community Conversations that continue to discuss the issues facing many of these groups and to give everyone a better understanding of their challenges.

The results have included a broader variety of music at our Concerts in the Park, additional cultures featured in our Light Up the Night and new celebrations such as Juneteenth and the Menorah Lighting.

We have had a tremendous number of people apply for positions on our various city commissions. This is indicative of everyone’s willingness to participate in making this city the best it can be.

A culture of belonging

The Diversity Commission’s webpage provides a list of how we all can contribute to a culture of belonging:

• Maintain a welcoming, inclusive environment. Communicate that everyone belongs.
• Respect people, build connections across differences and recognize each other’s humanity. Consider your impact on others.
• Examine multiple perspectives and viewpoints outside of your own experience.
• Invest in your community by educating yourself on best practices for diversity and inclusivity. Be open to learning and growing.
• Empower yourself to make changes that embrace the community around you. Communicate the changes you are making within your own environment.

As a community member and mayor of our great city, I ask you to keep these suggestions at the forefront of your minds. We all want to maintain the great small town feel we have grown to love. Following the ideals the commission has set will help us keep Pleasant Hill a place where everyone belongs.

Contact Mayor Noack at Snoack@phillca.gov.