Our speaker this week was Regina Zaragoza Frey. She is the inaugural Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Director with the City of Salem. Regina hails from Querétaro, México, and moved to Colorado for high school. Her role was established to elevate issues of race and equity within the City's operations, influencing all departments through a variety of initiatives. These initiatives include conducting an equity audit, facilitating ongoing DEI training and dialogues on equity with all City staff, and systematizing language justice.

 

Regina reviewed the definitions for DEI to establish a baseline of understanding. Diversity is multiple identities represented in a space or organization. Equity is constantly and consistently recognizing and redistributing power. Inclusion is thoughts, ideas, and perspectives that all individuals matter and are included. Regina did spend some time on other related acronyms that one might come across in this space, such as DEIJ where Justice is added to the original DEI (alternatively spelled as JEDI for all you Star Wars fans out there). She also handed out a brochure highlighting the race equity initiatives in the city of Salem.

 

Regina's work touches every department in the city of Salem. Her job goes well beyond diversifying the work force and DEI trainings. She spends a lot of time working with the various department heads in the city to address DEI concerns. Internally, she completes various reports and audits for the city, handles DEI trainings, reviews policies and procedures, offers ongoing educational opportunities for staff, and many other things. Externally, she works with community partners, nonprofits, and groups from historically underrepresented groups, as well as connect with a Race Equity Commissions, CommonWealth Development Compact, completes a Discrimination Reporting Forms, coordinates community events, and addressed the Wage Theft Ordinance. 

 

Regina gave us a context of racial equity work in Salem. Shawn Newton led the Race Equity Task Force which produces the Race Equity Task Force Report not too long ago in July of 2021. The Race Equity Commission was created from the report, which is where Regina's role comes from. To give us additioonal context, she shared the 12 "isms" that she works on. 

 

Regina amplifies anti-hate, anti-bias, and anti-discrimination efforts and implements the recommendations of the Race Equity Commission, Race Equity Task Force, and Human Rights Coalition. Her role extends beyond internal operations as she seeks to bridge the City and community, particularly focusing on the needs of historically underrepresented and systematically excluded individuals.

Just after October 25, 2023 – I reached out to my classmate Tina Champman District Governor of D7790 to inquire what was needed for those in the Lewiston, Auburn, Bowdoin and Winthrop areas, as they lost 18 members of the community.  Due to the lock down and the community taking some time to digest all that occurred I’ve received word.  The Governor of Maine has posted to their website the names of vetted and reputable organizations.  Please visit Healing Together: Supporting Victims and Families of the Tragedy in Lewiston | Office of Governor Janet T. Mills (maine.gov).

 

This incident, the scores of news reports of people being murdered both locally and afar, remind us of the need to focus on mental health and wellness.  Please take care of yourself, family, your fellow Rotarians, neighbors, and community.  If you know someone in need of help - please go to www.masshelpline.com.