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NEWSWORTHY
Press Release: A New Chapter for the Tri-Cities Diversity & Inclusion Council
Contact: Naima Chambers, Clenesha (CT) Montgomery, Sonee Kulaga Wilson
Email: info@tcdic.org
Phone: 509.713.7095
For Immediate Release
Pasco, WA — Tuesday, October 14, 2025
The Tri-Cities Diversity & Inclusion Council is entering an exciting new chapter, one that more deeply reflects our values of equity, inclusion, belonging, and shared power. As an organization built to serve and uplift historically marginalized communities, we believe a new model of leadership and bold programming are essential to creating meaningful change.
We are proud to announce a transition to a Triple Co-Executive Leadership model, one of the first of its kind in the Tri-Cities region. Founder and Chief Executive Officer Naima Chambers will now lead the organization alongside Clenesha (CT) Montgomery and Sonee Kulaga Wilson as Co-Executive Directors. Together, this three-woman leadership team brings decades of experience in community building, resource mobilizing, and transformative leadership serving the people of Benton and Franklin counties and communities across the country. In a region known for its three distinct yet deeply interconnected cities, our new leadership model strengthens our capacity to increase the health and safety of all people who call this region home.
We are also deeply honored to announce that the Tri-Cities Immigrant Coalition (TCIC) will begin a formal process of merging into our organization over the next year launching a new immigrant justice arm of our organization to better serve our mission. As we welcome TCIC into our family, we pause to acknowledge the profound legacy of Marsha Stipe, the coalition’s visionary founder. Marsha dedicated her life to advocating for immigrant communities, building bridges across difference, and advancing justice with unwavering compassion. Her leadership laid a powerful foundation, and her spirit continues to guide the work ahead.
While our commitment remains steadfast — to connect community members with essential resources, design culturally responsive programs, and address the root causes of disparities — this new chapter brings opportunities to evolve. One of those opportunities is a new name and refreshed brand that better reflects who we are and the communities we serve today. As we reimagine our future, we will turn to the community for input, ideas, and inspiration. Stay tuned for ways to share your voice and help shape the next chapter of our story.
Finally, as we grow and expand our leadership model, we are seeking passionate community members who want to join us in this work. If you are interested in serving on our board — especially if you bring lived experience from our most under-resourced and historically excluded communities — we invite you to connect with us. Together, we can build an organization that is led by and for the people it serves.
To get involved, make a gift, or learn more, visit www.TCDIC.org or email us at info@TCDIC.org
Applications open for 2025 Youth Scholarship Award & Interview with Board Member CT Montgomery-Hurst
January 27, 2025
The 2025 Youth Scholarship applications are now open, awarding two high school students and one college student. Each winner is awarded $2,500 towards college.
Tri-Cities CEO with “Passion for Serving & Social Justice” Named 2025 MLK Spirit Award Winner
January 20, 2025
Lynn Carlson, TCDIC board secretary and CEO of Gemini Corps, is awarded 2025 MLK Spirit Award.
5th Annual MLK Day of Service Event
January 20, 2025
Columbia Basin College, Tri Cities Diversity & Inclusion Council Gear Up for MLK Day Events
Six leaders honored as 2024 WSU Tri-Cities Women of Distinction
March 29,2024
Washington State University Tri-Cities recognized six female leaders as Women of Distinction for their contributions to the campus and Tri-Cities community as part of a March 28 inductee ceremony.
4th Annual MLK Day of Service Event
February 28, 2024
The 4th Annual MLK Day of Service distributed free food and essential items to 1800 people, despite the snow and ice. Volunteers rallied to make this event another huge success!
Celebration of Community, Diversity & Culture!
August 30, 2023
Highlighting the diverse cultures in Tri-Cities! TCD&IC hosted their 3rd annual Celebration of Community, Diversity & Culture! This event highlights the beauty of the different cultures that make up the Tri-Cities.
Tri-Cities Diversity & Inclusion Council holds cultural event
August 26, 2023
We see you: Tri-Cities Diversity and Inclusion Council
May 26, 2023
The Tri-Cities Diversity & Inclusion Council (TCD&IC) is a BIPOC-led nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Tri-Cities and surrounding area. In addition to advocating for marginalized members of the community, providing DEI training and educational resources to local businesses, and hosting neighborhood events to build cultural awareness, the TCD&IC also focuses on empowering people of color through economic mobility and entrepreneurship.
Jenny Willis
Tri-Cities Diversity and Inclusion Council hosts 3rd annual resource distribution event
January 26, 2023
PASCO, Wash. — In honor of Martin Luther King Jr., the Tri-Cities Diversity and Inclusion Council hosted its third annual resource distribution event on the MLK Day of Service. It was a drive-through style of event where people could come through and pick up what they needed.
Local organization gives out food and essential items to thousands for Day of Service
January 16, 2023
Pasco Wash. — The Tri-Cities Diversity and Inclusion Council are using the MLK Day of Service to provide food and essential items to thousands today.
Corey Jenkins Jr.
Diversity and Inclusion Council second annual Celebration of Diversity
August 7, 2022
KENNEWICK, Wash. –
Tri-Cities Diversity and Inclusivity council put on a celebration of diversity on Saturday.
The council saw a need for this event in the community, hoping to bring people from different communities together to see what cultures could be right around the corner.
Naima Chambers
TCD&IC hosts ‘Celebration of Community, Diversity and Culture’ event
August 5, 2022
KENNEWICK, Wash. — The Tri-Cities Diversity and Inclusion Council, or TCD&IC, hosts the ‘Celebration of Community, Diversity and Culture’ event. It will be at Columbia Park Saturday, August 6 from 12 to 8 p.m.
Tri-Cities’ 2nd Annual Celebration Of Community, Diversity, And Culture This Weekend
August 4, 2022
The 2nd Annual Celebration of Community, Diversity & Culture” will be held this weekend August 6th from 12 to 8 p.m. in Kennewick.
The last few decades has changed the region into a more beautiful, diverse, and inclusive place says Lynn Carlson. She serves on the board for the Tri-Cities Diversity and Inclusion Council:
“Diversity is a natural thing and it is to be embraced and celebrated… lots of nationalities lots of origins and ethnicities, lots of religions gender expressions and sexual orientations…our region is already quite diverse”
Naima Chambers
Story Time with Naima Chambers-Smith, CEO of the Tri-Cities Diversity & Inclusion Council
January 12, 2022
Naima Chambers-Smith reads the children’s book “Change Sings” by Amanda Gorman
Naima Chambers TCD&IC CEO
Q&A with Naima Chambers–Tri-Cities Journal of Business, April 2022
Why should the Tri-Cities care about what you do?
Tri-Cities residents should care about what the council does because, ultimately, we are here to serve this community. There is not one person in our community who cannot benefit from what the council has to offer. We not only focus on supporting folks from historically underrepresented and under-resourced communities, but we also act as a bridge to close cross-cultural gaps and unite all members of the Tri-Cities.
The Tri-Cities Diversity & Inclusion Council (TCD&IC) is offering four $2,000 scholarships for three high school seniors and one college student.
FB Virtual MLK Celebration
CBC Awards Naima Chambers the 2022 MLK Spirit Award
“Love is the first priority. We have to lead with a heart of love.”–Naima Chambers
“We were impressed by her ability to get others engaged in the conversation around equity, diversity and inclusion in a way that allows our entire community to be strengthened,” said Jay Frank, CBC’s assistant vice president of communications and external relations.
MLK Day of Service 2022
The food-drive had a plethora of volunteers handing out food, groceries, baby items, blankets, emergency items, children’s books on diversity and social justice, and so much more. All items were for free as cars lined up all around the CBC parking lot.
“We want to serve our community and that’s what Dr. King also encouraged. He especially encouraged us to empower and lift up marginalized, neglected, and underserved communities.” –Naima Chambers.
“We’re not checking for ID. We are not checking for citizenship status; we’re not checking for any of those things. If you need food, come out and get it,” said the Tri-Cities Diversity & Inclusion CEO Naima Chambers-Smith.
Celebration of Community, Diversity & Culture 2021
Celebration of Community Diversity & Culture Held At Columbia Park Saturday–NBC, August 2021
“Taking a moment to just appreciate everybody’s culture and just see the beauty in the difference that we have. That’s hopefully the biggest takeaway.” –Vanessa Wertz, TCD&IC Treasurer.
“Our event is to celebrate culture and diversity and unity within our community,” organizer Irving Brown said. “We’ve been very intentional inviting out different ethnic backgrounds, different groups, different cultures, to bring their historical experience over to us.”