Independent Perspective 1761 with Renae Kimble on the Puerto Rican and Hispanic Day events.
Host: Welcome to Independent Perspective, a public affairs presentation of Western New York Independent Living (WNYIL). Our guest today is Renae Kimble, Chief Organizational Equity Officer of WNYIL. And I'm your host, Ernie Churchwell. Welcome to the program, Renae.
Guest: Thank you, Ernie.
Host: You may have been on the show quite a long time ago, but I'm willing to bet there'll be some people listening that are not aware of what a chief organizational equity officer does. Wondering if you'd be so kind as to summarize what it is you do that helps WNYIL serve people better.
Guest: Well, as the chief equity officer here at Independent Living, I'm responsible for promoting practices and developing relationships with different groups of individuals. I make sure that I monitor and review policies and procedures that will ensure that WNYIL is involved in making sure that everyone has a sense of belonging here at WNYIL. We're concerned about making sure that people do not feel discriminated against on the basis of their age or disability, their gender, race, religion or sexual orientation, and so as an equity officer, we try to make sure that everyone feels included and that they are a part of WNYIL, and we try to really encourage education and growth in this area.
Host: And that's a very exciting and worthy goal and it's something that we have pursued for many years, but now we have someone to make sure it happens, and we are delighted that you're there. And it's particularly suitable under your umbrella that you are overseeing our participation once again in the Puerto Rican and Hispanic Day parade and associated activities. Could you please tell us more about what we're doing there?
Guest: Yes, WNYIL for the first time is a major sponsor. As a matter of fact, we are a silver level sponsor in the Puerto Rican and Hispanic Day parade, which is going to be held on Saturday, August 19th. We're also going to be a participant in their flag raising ceremony, which takes place on Thursday, August the 10th. 2
It's important that we reach out to diverse community members and that we support the initiatives that they are promoting and so this is a celebration of, you know, Hispanic culture and we're proud that we are one of the major sponsors of this event because we want to not only talk the talk, but we want to walk the walk. And that's what WNYIL is doing by our participation in this event.
Host: I believe in the parade itself will have one or two decorated vehicles participating in the possession.
Guest: Yes, WNYIL is also going to be participating in the parade. I know that we have done that in the past and so that parade ceremony is going to be down Niagara Street and then and that's on that Saturday the 19th. And it starts at noon. And then after the parade there's going to be a concert and we're also going to participate. In terms of being a vendor at the site, providing information regarding the programs that WNYIL offers.
Host: Well, that's a great public event that draws in a lot of people without WNYIL taking the opportunity to spread some literature around right, and not to mention answering some questions that bystanders might have. Is there any other way we're involved in this activity?
Guest: That's it.
Host: That's plenty.
Guest: Yeah, that's it. We're going to be right there on at the scene, we're a sponsor. And so being a sponsor, like I said, we will definitely be a parade participant. We will be there at the flag raising ceremony and we will support our Hispanic brothers and sisters and their celebration of their heritage and just a good time hopefully will be had by everyone who decides to attend.
Host: That's great. I'm sure people will have questions. How can they reach you?
Guest: They can reach me at area code 716-836-0822 and my extension number is 508.
Host: Thanks so much for being with us Renae.
Guest: thank you.
Host: You've been listening to Independent Perspective, a public affairs presentation of WNYIL. Our guest today was Renae Kimble, chief organizational equity officer with WNYIL. And I've been your host, Ernie Churchwell.