Joplin EDI Committee strives for inclusivity with upcoming unity walk

JOPLIN, Mo. (KOAM) - Joplin's Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee held a meeting this afternoon to discuss their plans for the upcoming Unity Walk, scheduled for June's third Thursday. The goal of EDI is to ensure everyone feels included.

Tabatha Carter, an EDI member, shared her personal experiences:

"In the past, I've had issues where I've definitely had to hush down a little bit of who I am as a person."

Carter's experiences have highlighted the challenges many people face, but being part of this movement in Joplin has broadened her perspective even further. "So even though there are certain things that I face every day, I'm learning a lot about all different areas of inclusion and how I can be a better coworker, how I could be a better boss," says Carter.

The EDI Committee is dedicated to treating everyone equally, regardless of orientation, nationality, religion, or skin color. "The important part, of course, is to show all of the people coming from all over the world, all over the country that we support you, your small business, your adventures, and your families," says Carter.

Melodee Colbert-Kean, the chair of the committee, addresses the feelings of exclusion that many people experience:

"A lot of times, people feel left out if they happen to look different or if they're differently abled. Anything that maybe separates them, that they feel separate. We have EDI to bring everyone together and to know that it really is as simple as you belong here."

The EDI Committee aims to be a safe place where people can express their true selves without fear of discrimination. "We're not promoting any certain group over any other certain group. We are simply saying that if you're breathing, you belong. And it's really that simple," says Colbert-Kean.

For Colbert-Kean, the vision for Joplin is like a quilt:

"A quilt is made up of a bunch of different squares that look different. Every one of them has different patterns, different squares, different whatever. But when they're all put together and you're stitched together, they make a beautiful quilt. That is diversity. That is what every city needs."

The EDI's Unity Walk on the third Thursday starts at 6 PM on Second and Main.

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