This year marks the 12th year that Missoula has had a community celebration celebrating youth leadership and the passing of the nondiscrimination ordinance. Your donation goes to supporting the important time of community members, youth leaders, and EmpowerMT staff to organize and coordinate the event, as well as covering the cost of hosting and providing the event free to the Missoula community.
Empowering youth leadership is central to the mission of EmpowerMT. On April 12, 2010, Missoula’s city council passed a non-discrimination ordinance protecting community members from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. EPIC, EmpowerMT’s afterschool leadership development program for 4th-8th grade students, played a key role in the passing of the ordinance. This group proposed an annual day of celebration and recognition of all that makes Garden City vibrant and unique. Diversity Day was officially proclaimed and each April hundreds of Missoulians come together to show their commitment to making our city inclusive and welcoming for all.
Diversity Day offers a unique experience for local young people to get involved and have a voice in every facet of the event – visioning, planning, coordinating, and performing. Each year features an eclectic mix of youth talent and performances ranging from song, dance, video, spoken word, and a headliner; all around the theme of a “Diverse City”. This annual celebration is every April and is always a free, family-friendly event. Please check back on our calendar for details each year. We hope to see you there!