Fremont focusing on diversity

FREMONT — City officials are working to ensure diversity and inclusion are top priorities. Fremont Mayor Danny Sanchez said this is especially important because 40% of the city's youth are biracial. "We are a very diverse community not only within the city but also Fremont City Schools and Terra State Community College," Sanchez said. "There's a lot of different initiatives that we're working on." Dedicated to diversity Fremont hired Chari Mullen in October 2020 as the city's director of diversity and inclusion to help head up those initiatives. The full-time position is funded by a grant through Fremont schools, $25,000; Terra State, $25,000 and the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Seneca, Sandusky and Wyandot counties, $50,000. One of the city's first initiatives involved reviewing its hiring process. "One of the things I don't ever want to happen is nepotism or an unfair hiring process," Sanchez said. The city formed teams that were coached on interviewing for positions and given training on inclusion, diversity and biases. Employees will also have training about bridges out of poverty, multicultural awareness and microaggressions. "We do provide consultation to other entities on diversity and inclusion," Mullen said. "In the school system, we have developed diversity and inclusion teams in each school." Sanchez said the city's job listings are built to prevent discrimination. "We look at where we're posting job announcements and make sure we are putting them in all-inclusive areas, thinking about ethnic minorities, veterans, women, disabled, faith-based communities and poverty," Mullen said. Mullen said she works with leadership teams in the city, Fremont City Schools and Terra to ensure discussions about inclusion occur when making or changing policies and practices. She said encouraging "courageous conversations" has been one of the biggest initiatives. She said she visits departments in the city and schools and speaks with community members about how diversity and inclusion can be improved upon to build a strategic plan to work on these issues. "I work with the mayor and his administration and other community leaders. We want to help implement the seven pillars of inclusiveness," Mullen said. Those pillars include access, attitude, choices, partnerships, communication, policy and opportunity. "I think the more conversations we have, the more inclusive we can be," Mullen said. "It makes the community more inviting and welcoming. When you have a diversified perspective, it helps you grow because you have different voices at the table." Build on change Mullen said next they will evaluate the city's bidding process for projects. "We want to make sure we're being inclusive, offering different products and services to give all businesses an opportunity to bid on," she said. "We are continually providing a minority business assistance center, through our community college, to help entrepreneurs with startups or growing their businesses." The city is also reviewing its fair housing policy to ensure the language is inclusive to the LGBTQ+ community. Sanchez said Mullen has also helped build relationships within the police department and the community. "It's been a very good move to hire her," he said. "I don't think there's any other city our size that has taken a proactive role with that." Mullen said the city will also host a symposium in November on the seven pillars of inclusiveness with keynote speaker Ronald C. Todd II, Gov. Mike DeWine's minority affairs liaison. "Diversity is everywhere," Mullen said. "We need to be able to look at all facets of individuals and make sure that they are represented in all of our practices and procedures."