As part of its mission to build an inclusive community that values diversity, the City of Naperville announces the next event in the Embrace Naperville series – The Power of Connection: AAPI Voices & Community, from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, May 13 at the 95th Street Library, 3015 Cedar Glade Drive, Naperville.
The event will include an interactive discussion featuring six panelists from the AAPI community. Panelists will discuss their individual and shared experiences in Naperville around subjects ranging from individual and family life to business ownership, inviting dialogue from the AAPI community and beyond. Registration is required for this free event. Find details and a link to register at
naperville.il.us/embracenaperville.
Working alongside others, Dr. Geneace Williams, the City’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) manager, leads the Embrace Naperville series under this year’s focus, Empowering our Mission Through a Year of Learning. Williams is grateful to partners including the Naperville Public Library, Chinese American Women in Action, and panelists Durriya Gunja, Jacob Kadolph, Melvin Kim, Dr. Tracy P. Leung, Dr. Jennifer K. Shah and Will Wong for their shared commitment to building a community where all are seen, heard, included and valued.
“I am so pleased for this second Embrace Naperville community event,” Williams said. “The enthusiasm with which organizing participants and panelists have worked together for the success of this event is inspiring. It reinforces the value of inclusion. I am grateful for all who had a hand in getting us to this point. This event is all of our work.”
Embrace Naperville events are one way the City creates space for storytelling and conversations that foster a sense of belonging within our increasingly diverse community. These events follow the hiring of Williams as the City’s first DEI manager in 2021 and City Council action in 2019 to add “creating an inclusive community that values diversity” to the City’s mission statement.
—City of Naperville