The City of Providence is committed to community engagement, and the Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) serves as a connection to several community ambassador groups. Currently, the program consists of five active ambassador groups. They are the African American Ambassador Group, the American Indian Ambassador Group, the Asian American Pacific Islander Ambassador Group, the Cape Verdean American Ambassador Group, and the Latino Ambassador Group.
The CoPAC program will help the City to better map the racial and cultural equity work across the different groups and continue supporting our communities.
CoPAC Organizational Structure
The objectives of this program are:
- Ensure clear communication and engagement between the City Administration, Departments, and our diverse communities.
- Provide opportunities for direct communication with individual communities in creating and supporting changes across practices, procedures, and policies to better meet the needs of our residents.
- Provide inter-ambassador group discussions to strengthen partnerships based on shared objectives.
Structure of the Program
- Ambassador groups have Points of Contact that help coordinate communication.
- Each ambassador group holds meetings to discuss community needs and serve as a conduit to their individual communities. The frequency of ambassador group meetings is decided and coordinated by the Points of Contact.
- The meeting discussions include topics to address with other ambassador groups or with the Administration or department directors.
- The groups meet with the Directors of DEIB and/or Community Relations (CR) to identify proper channels within the City Administration to address identified needs.
- Individual groups meet with the Mayor 2-3 times per year to discuss issues and needs specific to their communities.
Responsibilities of Ambassador Points of Contact
- Maintain the contact list of ambassadors.
- Facilitate meetings with the larger ambassador group.
- Communicate needs directly to the City through the CoPAC program, and help create agendas and/or connections with other departments.
- Facilitate meetings with Departments and the Mayor.
Responsibilities of CoPAC
- The CoPAC is the gathering of the Points of Contact for each Ambassador Group along with the Community Relations Director and the DEIB Director.
- Communicate events and engagement opportunities with the Points of Contact.
- Coordinate meetings with other departments.
- Help prepare the agenda for the meeting with the Mayor.
We extend a special thank you to our Points of Contact for each of the Ambassador Groups in the CoPAC Program:
- Wanda Brown
- Shawndell Burney-Speaks
- Ray Two Hawks Watson
- Jacqueline Runs Strong
- Jeannie Salomon
- Christina Liu
- Kannetha Brown
- Jim Vincent
- Mario Mancebo
- Anthony Aquino
- Michael Nina
- Georgina Weeks
If you are interested in participating in any of the ambassador groups, please fill out the form below. The contact information will be sent to the relevant Points of Contacts.
If you are interested in conversations about how to start an ambassador group or would like general information, please contact our DEIB office.
Department for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
City Hall – Room 401
25 Dorrance Street Providence, RI 02903
City Hall is open 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (8:30 AM – 4 PM in the summer).
Contact us at: DEIB@providenceri.gov