By Taiwo AKINLAMI and Deba Uwadiae
The Franklin County Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Conference: Celebrating Differences & Building Inclusive Futures concluded on October 23, 2024, with rich deliberations spanning a variety of crucial topics. Alongside discussions on education, groups focused on equitable access to healthcare, small business development, and crisis response. These sessions reflected the conference’s commitment to addressing the needs of marginalized communities and exploring actionable solutions to systemic barriers.

Healthcare Access: Transparency, Cultural Competency, and Inclusivity
The Equitable Access to Healthcare group engaged in a deep exploration of the gaps in healthcare services, particularly for immigrant and refugee populations. Angie Thai, a participant in the group, highlighted the importance of transparency in healthcare settings, emphasizing that “first impressions really matter.” The group noted that patients often feel disconnected due to a lack of clear communication about healthcare services, leading to mistrust and confusion.
The group discussed how understanding the lived experiences of different community members is essential for providing equitable healthcare. Many immigrant and refugee families face linguistic and cultural barriers that prevent them from fully accessing the resources they need. To address these gaps, the group recommended the creation of multilingual healthcare guides that clearly outline which doctors are available, what languages they speak, and what services they provide.

“Too much time is wasted when community members are left to figure out who can or cannot accept them,” one participant said, stressing the need for better communication strategies. The group also explored how healthcare professionals could be trained to better understand the cultural contexts of their patients, thereby fostering a more inclusive and responsive healthcare system.

Crisis Response and Communication: Building Relationships Before Disaster Strikes
In a session focused on Crisis Response and Communication, participants examined the importance of building strong relationships between service providers and the communities they serve—before a crisis occurs. The group underscored that trust cannot be built in the midst of a crisis; rather, it must be nurtured over time through consistent and meaningful engagement.
One of the key takeaways from the session was the need for service providers to actively recruit and train individuals from within the communities they serve.

“If there’s no relationship before a crisis, the community will continue to be underserved during emergencies,” one participant noted. The group discussed the importance of closing communication gaps by establishing clear and effective channels for outreach, especially in underserved or isolated communities.

Additionally, participants proposed that local agencies and nonprofits work together to create a crisis response framework that accounts for the specific needs of diverse populations, including language barriers, disability access, and cultural considerations.

Small Business Development: Resources and Support for New Entrepreneurs
The Small Business Development group addressed the unique challenges faced by new entrepreneurs, particularly those from immigrant and minority communities. Navigating the complexities of starting and sustaining a business often presents significant hurdles, especially for individuals unfamiliar with the regulatory landscape or without access to sufficient resources.
Participants stressed that many aspiring business owners spend too much time figuring out how to navigate these systems on their own, losing valuable opportunities to grow.

“People need a roadmap. They shouldn’t have to figure it all out by themselves,” one participant explained.

The group discussed the importance of creating clear, easily accessible resource guides that outline the steps to start a business, available funding opportunities, and local mentorship programs. They also emphasized the need for trusted community leaders to disseminate this information, ensuring that it reaches the people who need it most.
The session closed with a call to action for local government and financial institutions to step up their efforts in supporting minority-owned businesses, not only by providing financial assistance but also by fostering an ecosystem of mentorship and guidance.

Conclusion: A Path Forward
The discussions from Day 2 of the Franklin County Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Conference demonstrated that creating inclusive futures requires collaboration, transparency, and a willingness to engage communities where they are. Whether it’s ensuring equitable healthcare access, developing responsive crisis management strategies, or supporting small business growth, the key to success lies in building lasting relationships and providing the tools necessary for empowerment.
As the conference drew to a close, participants left with a renewed sense of purpose and a wealth of ideas to implement in their communities. The conversations held over the two-day event reflected both the urgency of the issues and the hope for a future where diversity is not just celebrated but embedded in the very fabric of society’s systems and structures.

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