Five team members recently joined the IDEALS Institute in the Division of Diversity Equity and Inclusion. With the help of a $2.18 million grant from the Walmart Foundation and Walton Family Foundation, the new positions will support the TRU Powered by IDEALS initiative.

TRU Powered by IDEALS is the second phase of TRUE Northwest Arkansas, a community-based initiative launched in 2018 to advance diversity, equity and inclusion in Benton and Washington counties. Over the next two years, TRU will recruit, select and lead nearly 100 more organizations in Northwest Arkansas, providing practical strategies to advance their DEI journeys and strengthen the efforts of local nonprofits serving underrepresented communities.

The five-person team includes trainers, facilitators and consultants Raven Cook, Coty Darst and Ramon Balderas; project/office manager Michel Rangel; and fiscal project manager Myrlinda Soedjede.

"We are grateful for the opportunity to expand the knowledge, expertise and passion of our team with these distinguished individuals," said IDEALS Institute executive director Elecia Smith. "With their support, IDEALS is well-positioned to implement this exciting new initiative that will help create a more inclusive and equitable Northwest Arkansas."

The IDEALS Institute is a training, consultancy and research institute dedicated to creating diverse, equitable and inclusive workplaces and communities. Since its inception in 2019, the organization has provided DEI education and training for more than 40 entities with over 10,000 participants.

For more information about TRU Powered By IDEALS, visit truideals.org.