Embracing Community: Empowering Our Dialogue, Deepening Our Understanding
After Empowering Our Mission Through a Year of Learning, the City’s Embrace Naperville has evolved into Embracing Community: Empowering Our Dialogue, Deepening Our Understanding. In 2024, the City will present a series of "Inclusive Community Conversations," led by Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager Dr. Geneace Williams, in partnership with other community organizations that share the goal of building a community where all feel a sense of value and belonging. Building upon the work already accomplished, this series will foster deeper dialogue and understanding as we continue to advance the City’s mission of creating an inclusive community that values diversity, and furthering the values of People, Respect, Trust, and Pride.
The series began during Women’s History Month with an empowering panel discussion. Future events will include storytelling and opportunities for the community to participate in intentional, respectful and ongoing dialogue to deepen understanding, while fostering inclusion among generations, cultures, and those with diverse perspectives across our increasingly diverse community. Join us as we leverage the power of understanding to embrace community — individually and collectively.
Embracing Our Future
Learn more about how the City and its partners – including the next generation of leaders – have been sharing diversity, equity, and inclusion messages. All are invited and encouraged to share in these important efforts as they move forward.
Upcoming Events
Book Read
The City of Naperville and the Naperville Public Library invite the community to read along this summer and fall with the Embracing Community Book Read. In the selected book, “Community: The Structure of Belonging” (2018 edition; Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc.), author Peter Block describes how in a true community, every person is a citizen, relationships are key, and focusing on what is possible is transformative.
The Embracing Community Book Read begins with a book talk with Peter Block participating via Zoom at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 31. Participants may attend in person at Council Chambers in the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St., or remotely via Zoom. The Book Read is free and open to all, but registration is required through the Book Read event registration link. For those attending online, a Zoom link will be shared via email with registrants before the event.
Participants are invited to read the book during the Aug. 1 to Oct. 5 reading window. The book is available through book retailers and the Naperville Public Library system, including in audio and e-book formats. During the month of October, two sessions of volunteer-led small group discussions will be held at various times and locations, culminating with a final Inclusive Community Conversation on Nov. 7, during which readers will discuss various aspects of the book with the community at large. More specific information, including times and locations, for the small-group discussions and the Nov. 7 event will be shared with registrants later in the summer.
Author Peter Block