Hillside’s dedication to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion is a commitment to our community; to the youth, adults and families we serve; and to each other. We understand that many voices make for a stronger conversation. We reject discrimination in all its forms. And we know that no community can fulfill its potential until community member enjoys equal access to opportunity.
These are year-round priorities, to be sure, but the month of June is still a particularly powerful time for DE&I. During Pride Month, Hillside joins our neighbors in saying “no” to hate and bigotry aimed at the LGBTQIA+ community. Caribbean-American Heritage Month inspires us to celebrate the culture and achievements of that population. And the Juneteenth holiday reminds us all of the historic end of slavery in our country—as well as its lingering effects on our society.
This month and every month, we’re determined to continuously evolve in our DE&I work. Whether marching at Pride parades, participating in community events, or leading internal initiatives that support and inspire our employees, we’re passionate about this journey.
With that in mind, I’m delighted to welcome a new DE&I leader to our family his month. Latesha Fussell, Hillside’s new Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, is an experienced and committed champion of this work. She’ll play a lead role in ongoing DE&I meetings and events, ensuring that we strive for equity and inclusivity in all we do.
You’ll hear more from Latesha in the months to come. For now, please do what you can to embrace the spirit of this important time of year. And as always, thank you for your interest in Hillside’s mission!
Maria Cristalli
President & CEO
Hillside