We’re teaming up with community partners all over Northeastern Pennsylvania to bring you a closer look at what makes our amazing counties, cities, towns and villages so unique. Keep your eye on this space for regular contributions from local organizations, visitors’ bureaus, tourism boards, chambers and so much more.
Check Out What’s Going On With Our Chamber Councils
Keep an eye out for awesome chamber events this May.
The Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce wants to keep you updated each month with everything that their volunteer councils have planned this year, including featured upcoming events, community programs, and business community features!
Their Councils include the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council, Women’s Council, Young Professionals Council, Nonprofit Council, Government Affairs Council, and Ambassadors Council!
Upcoming Council Event Spotlight – 2022 EPIC Awards
Join us for an EPIC night on May 24th to celebrate our Extraordinary People Inspiring Community Awards! This year’s event, which is presented by Fidelity Bank, will take place at the F. M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts and will recognize four incredible individuals and five community celebrations. Doors will open at 5:00 PM, with the program beginning promptly at 5:30 PM. With your registration, enjoy a $25 voucher for one of our “Dine Local” after-parties at a downtown restaurant.
Two awards at this event are connected to our Chamber Councils. Our brand new DEI Champion Award, recognizes an individual who strives to prioritize diversity, equity and inclusion in their business or profession, has devoted time and energy to the DEI community in a meaningful way, has given back to the community, and, most especially, has generously assisted other minority groups in attaining their full potential. This was established by our DEI Council and the first recipient will be Dan Kimbrough, Owner of Park Multimedia.
Our Athena® Award is presented to someone who has personified the highest level of professional excellence in her business or profession, has devoted time and energy to the community in a meaningful way, and, most especially, has generously assisted other women in attaining their full potential. This award is connected to our Women’s Council and will be presented to Zubeen Saeed, President and CEO of Building Blocks Learning Center.
Visit our event page for more information on our speakers and to register to attend with us!
Community Spotlights — Meet Our DEI Council’s Diversity Month Highlights!
Throughout the month of April for Diversity Month, along with our regional chamber partners, our Chamber’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council is highlighting some amazing individuals in our community that are spearheading diversity, equity, and inclusion causes and initiatives, as well as business leaders and owners with diverse backgrounds. The highlights began on April 4th and ran Monday-Friday until April 29nd. In case you missed it, view everyone spotlighted below, and visit our organization’s Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram pages to learn even more about each of them by viewing our posts throughout the month!
Meet this month’s Young Professionals Network Small Business Highlight: Jessica Ives, Director of Case Management and Community Services at Family Service Association of Northeastern PA!
Family Service Association of NEPA is a not-for-profit organization, based in downtown Wilkes-Barre, but serving 17 counties, which works with children, individuals, families and communities to help achieve their fullest potential, through case management and counseling programs. These programs are intended to be the least restrictive, focused on prevention, family strengthening, and help to connect families to other resources in our community. Jessica directly manages several of their programs that work with youth and families, in addition to program development, agency development, and social media.
Anyone interested in supporting our organization can reach out to Jessica- whether it be through time, treasure or talent! Learn more at fsanepa.org or follow on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram to learn more about their programs, events, and mission!
Get Involved in Community Initiatives: DEI Champion Certification
The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Champion Certification was established in 2022 with the goal of connecting individuals to learn and participate in some of the DEI efforts happening in the Wyoming Valley, and is a regional effort with our Chamber partners. The certificate includes three levels (Bronze, Silver, and Gold) with each level building on comprehension and understanding of DEI. Hours towards each certificate level can start being accumulated on January 1, 2022 and expire within three years. Please read below about each what each level entails!
Bronze Level
This level is granted to those who have gone through 75 hours of DEI workshops, educational opportunities, and events. The bronze level certification will be awarded to those who demonstrate a commitment to learning about DEI in the multitude of opportunities the Wyoming Valley has to offer. Each participant is asked to keep a record of hours completed and any supporting documentation to show attendance. After hours have been completed, you can submit an application for the certification.
Silver Level
This level is granted to those who have gone through 75 hours of DEI workshops, educational opportunities, and events, as well as 25 hours of volunteer hours with a DEI organization. The silver level certification will be awarded to those who demonstrate not only a commitment to learning about DEI, but also taking that knowledge to support those communities within the Wyoming Valley. Each participant is asked to keep a record of hours completed and any supporting documentation to show attendance. After hours have been completed, you can submit an application for the certification.
Gold Level
This is our highest level of certification and is granted to those who have gone through 75 hours of DEI workshops, educational opportunities, and events, 25 hours of volunteer hours with a DEI organization, as well as a project presentation to our DEI Champion Certification Review Committee on a project the individual has done within the Wyoming Valley to improve DEI within the Wyoming Valley. The gold-level certification will be awarded to those who demonstrate a commitment to learning about DEI, using the knowledge to support those communities within the Wyoming Valley, and actively trying to improve DEI within the Wyoming Valley. Each participant is asked to keep a record of hours completed and any supporting documentation to show attendance. After hours have been completed, you can submit an application for the certification.
Click here for more information.
