Date: February 10, 2026
Time: 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Location: Centerville Police Station Community Room, 155 W Spring Valley Rd., Centerville
Join us for our Annual Meeting to elect leadership team members (if required), approve any by-law changes, and approve the 2026-27 FY budget. Hear about the latest work of the Council from our Committee Chairs. Our guest speaker for the Annual Meeting is Fabrice Juin from the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission.
Bio - "Fabrice Juin serves as the Regional Equity Initiative Program Manager for the Institute for Livable & Equitable Communities housed within the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission. In this role, he strives to advance equity across the Miami Valley by working with the regional community to correct policies, reform institutions, and close gaps that undermine sustained quality of life improvements for underserved, under-resourced, and vulnerable populations. Fabrice brings a public health background to this regional planning work, and leverages the idea that “a society should be able to promise all its members the most optimal health status available to them” as a guiding principle."
Program Website: https://www.mvrpc.org/regional-initiatives/institute-livable-equitable-communities/regional-equity-initiative
Recent Spotlight: https://www.daytonohio.gov/1270/Fabrice-Juin
Come a few minutes early as there will be time to enjoy refreshments and socialize with fellow members and future members of the council.
Centerville-Washington Diversity Council (CWDC) Scholarship Program: The CWDC is proud to offer students graduating high school in 2026 one $2,000 scholarship for a selected student to use at any accredited 2-4 yr college or university. The CWDC is also offering one scholarship, not to exceed $500, for a selected student to use at any trade school.
For all of the detail, visit the Scholarship Page.
24th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast
Monday, January 19, 2026
7:30 - 9:00 AM
Golf Club at Yankee Trace, 10,000 Yankee Street, Centerville.
Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations was the keynote speaker for the 24th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast hosted by the Centerville Washington Diversity Council. Her topic on January 19, 2026, was “Why foreign policy matters for all Americans.”
Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield served as United States Ambassador to the United Nations, as well as the U.S. Representative in the UN Security Council from 2021-2025. During her tenure as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield was a member of President Biden’s Cabinet, and sat on the National Security Council. Prior to this, she headed the State Department’s transition team for the Biden Administration.
As a career diplomat, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield has had a wide range of assignments. From 2013 to 2017, she served as Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, where she led U.S. policy development for sub-Saharan Africa. She previously served as Director General of the Foreign Service and Director of Human Resources, overseeing the State Department’s workforce. Her notable Foreign Service roles include Ambassador to Liberia (2008-2012) and postings in Switzerland, Pakistan, Kenya, The Gambia, Nigeria, and Jamaica. In Washington, she served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of African Affairs and as Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration.
After retiring in 2017, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield led the Africa Practice at Albright Stonebridge Group and was a Distinguished Resident Fellow in African Studies at Georgetown University’s Institute for the Study of Diplomacy. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University and a master’s from the University of Wisconsin, where she also pursued doctoral studies. Her honors include a Presidential Rank Award, Secretary Distinguished Service Award plus numerous other awards. She has honorary doctorates from the University of Wisconsin and the University of Liberia.
The annual breakfast was made possible by generous community sponsors, including:
Presenting
VS & Co
Platinum
Premier Health
Gold
Bob Ross Auto Group
St. Leonard/CHI Communities
Silver
City of Centerville
Jerry & Julia Eddy
Heart of Centerville-Washington Township
Montgomery County Commissioners
Mosaic Church
Washington Township
Wright Patt Credit Union
Bronze
Campanella Law Office LLC
Centerville Rotary Club
Centerville-Washington History
City of Kettering
Dayton Area Board of Realtors
Dr. Percy Frasier
Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz
Graceworks Lutheran Services
Harmony Creek Church
Irongate Realtors
Judge Deidre Logan
National Council of Negro Women - Dayton
Noon Optimist Club of Centerville
Pediatric Associates of Dayton
Jason & Lisa Riley
Springboro Juneteenth Jubilee
Yvette Kelly Fields & Associates
Donor
Bob & Berneta Daley
John & Carol Kennard
Sivaji & Elvessa Subramaniam
Linda White
Terra Fox Williams
For questions, please contact Linda White, MLK Committee Chair, at lindawhite@hotmail.com or Council Chair, Jason Riley at cwdcchair@gmail.com.
Please share this poster to help spread the word!
Whether you're a longtime supporter or brand new to the Centerville-Washington Diversity Council, we invite you to our upcoming Membership Meeting!
Date: August 28, 2025
Time: 6:30-7:30 PM
Location: Woodbourne Library Community Room, 6060 Far Hills Ave.
Our guest speaker is Paul Strozier, Multifaith Campus Chaplain and Adjunct Instructor in Religion for Sinclair Community College. He will provide an overview of the organization, projected events/activities, and any recommendations on how to bring diverse groups together for meaningful dialogue and understanding.
In 2023, Paul founded Strozier Solutions LLC to provide coaching and strategic plan development for individuals and organizations in the non-profit sector. He has been involved in addiction recovery work for 38 years and is author of the Living Free addiction recovery Bible study through Warner Press. Paul, and his wife Mariann, also work closely with Be the Bridge, a racial reconciliation movement led by best-selling author, Latasha Morrison.
Our committee chairs will also share the work of their committee and how you can become involved. Come connect with passionate community members, hear about our ongoing initiatives, and learn how you can get involved in promoting inclusion, equity, and diversity in the Centerville-Washington area.
- Meet fellow members
- Learn about our upcoming events
- Contribute your voice and ideas
- Find your place in our mission
Everyone is welcome. Your perspective matters. Your involvement makes a difference.
RSVP HERE
Questions? Contact us at cwdcchair@gmail.com
Let’s build a more inclusive community—together.
Date: June 18, 2025
Time: 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Location: Bock Family Brewing, 8150 Washington Village Drive, Dayton, OH 45458
Event Hashtags: #EqualityMatters #LGBTQPrideMonth
This panel discussion aims to bring together diverse voices to explore the ongoing challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community, examine the importance of allyship, and discuss effective ways to foster inclusivity in both personal and professional environments.
The session will feature advocates and members of the LGBTQ+ community, who will share insights, experiences, and strategies for creating a more supportive, equitable, and understanding society.
Objective: This program aims to inspire positive change by encouraging open, respectful discussions and providing participants with the knowledge and tools to foster inclusivity and strengthen allyship. Through collaboration, we hope to create more equitable spaces for everyone, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or identity.
Panelists:
Following the panel discussion, participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and share their own experiences and thoughts on building allyship and inclusivity in a roundtable format.
Thanks to Bock Family Brewing for hosting our Voices and Stories program!
Join us on Zoom for the General Membership Meeting May 8, 2025, 6:30 - 7:30 pm for an update on Diversity Council activities and hear from Chelsea Cozad, Executive Manager for Impact and Museum Initiatives at the Dayton International Peace Museum!
Zoom Link:
Centerville-Washington DiversityCouncil is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: CWDC General Meeting
Time: May 8, 2025 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Every 3 months on the Second Thu, 3 occurrence(s)
Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Monthly: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/tZYsdOCqqjoiGt1B5xeB87qeRNlYpObwsxem/ics?icsToken=DC-6NmiQiaVaWrM4kAAALAAAAJo2b9LfZdGUMwi5qMhMzqx3N4-DbKPEZRD4FI9ueuZmlQyk_6PtvP1-LzHm4yFn37kEhR5JFx6aS5_l1zAwMDAwMQ&meetingMasterEventId=EOaLxc4cS0WCi0AC_Orwmw
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82139241809?pwd=YACm4cHHk0SoYnDbaCfbXe7Us0FSM8.1
Meeting ID: 821 3924 1809
Passcode: 022432
One tap mobile
+13052241968,,82139241809#,,,,022432# US +13092053325,,82139241809#,,,,022432# US
Dial by your location
Meeting ID: 821 3924 1809
Passcode: 022432
Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kglneGXkm
If you were unable to join us for Dr. Gish's presentation or would like to watch it again, here it is thanks to the Miami Valley Communications Council!
The references Dr. Gish talks about are available here:
Bibliography on the role of everyday people in changing the world & strengthening democracy: CLICK HERE
What can we do?: CLICK HERE
Centerville Police Department Community Room, 155 W Spring Valley Rd., Centerville
Join us for our annual meeting, where we will begin with an insightful guest speaker presentation, followed by important organizational business. This is an opportunity for members to engage with current topics, review progress, and shape the future of the organization.
Guest Speaker: Our featured speaker is Dr. Elizabeth Gish, a distinguished representative from The Charles F. Kettering Foundation. Dr. Gish will share her thoughts on “How to Mobilize at the Grassroots Level." Her presentation will last 15 minutes, followed by a 15-minute Q&A session where attendees can interact with her and gain deeper insights into her work.
Agenda:
Opening Session:
Regular Business:
Where we could use some help: We are looking for committee chairs for the following committees and leadership team positions.
We encourage all members to attend and participate in the discussions that will help steer the direction of our organization for the coming year. For information, please email Jason Riley, CWDC Chair at cwdcchair@gmail.com.
Monday, January 20, 2025
PROGRAM CHANGE
Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, Ms. JoAnne Bland will not be able to join us. While we will certainly miss her, we are excited to announce that her sister, Lynda Blackmon Lowery, will be stepping in as our keynote speaker. We look forward to hearing her inspiring message!
Lynda Blackmon Lowery has been a key figure in the civil rights movement since the early 1960s. A member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), she marched in pivotal events like "Bloody Sunday" and "Turn Around Tuesday" and was the youngest marcher in the historic Selma to Montgomery March. Beaten on the Edmund Pettus Bridge during Bloody Sunday, she required 35 stitches. Her early activism against Jim Crow laid the foundation for her lifelong work in civil and human rights. She is also the author of Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom: My Story of the 1965 Selma Voting Rights March.
For more information about Ms Lowery, please see these links:
Although it may be chilly outside Monday morning, but Yankee Trace will be warm with fellowship, understanding, and acceptance. We look forward to welcoming you for this engaging and inspiring presentation!
The annual breakfast, made possible by generous community sponsors, will take place at 7:30
AM at the Golf Club at Yankee Trace. Tickets are $25 and although we are sold out, we have been able to add a couple more tickets. They will go FAST! Use the link below today!
The mission of the Centerville-Washington Diversity Council is to celebrate and promote an
inclusive, diverse, and welcoming community for people who live, work, and worship in
Centerville and Washington Township.
Information about the council is available at www.cwtdiversity.org and on Facebook and
Instagram or by contacting Jason Riley, Council Chair, at cwdcchair@gmail.com.
Thanks to our 2025 Sponsors!
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