The Building Inclusive Community Conference aims to build a community where everyone feels that they belong by encouraging participants to learn about each other, connect with the wide diversity of our community, and take action to improve equity and inclusion. The conference features a keynote speaker, workshops by community members and organizations touching on a broad spectrum of topics to support this goal.

The conference grew out of a desire to improve our community after George Floyd was murdered in May 2020. One of our clergy leaders reached out to two community organizations (CDG and The LeaderShop), and together we planned and produced the first conference in Spring 2021. Our planning team has grown to include churches, school districts, community organizations and public entities.

Conference workshop topics have included: learning about local history, how historical events shape our identities, practices to encourage a culture of inclusion and belonging, building mental well being, helping people who are grieving, supporting transgender youth and adults, modeling bilingual education, using inclusive texts in the classroom, how libraries can support communities, queer individuals in history, the wisdom of our elders, and more. Beginning in 2025, some workshops enable teachers to earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs).