A Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Context

The Trust believes that preservation can be a powerful tool to support social justice and equity. Through its intentions and Strategic Plan, the Trust will work to identify and elevate neighborhood expertise; create opportunities for storytelling from new perspectives; and develop a diverse, equitable, and inclusive preservation community in New Haven.

Intentions

The New Haven Preservation Trust commits to

• celebrating New Haven’s cultural and historic resources and neighborhoods that have not been included in the patterns of historic preservation

• engaging New Haven residents as co-equal partners in preservation

• empowering New Haven residents to serve as leaders and advocates for preservation topics

• acknowledging different community perspectives on preservation and making space for constructive discourse

• offering programming and resources that are interesting, accessible, and vital to the needs of New Haven residents

• recruiting Directors who reflect the socioeconomic, racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity of New Haven

• providing an environment where all staff and volunteers feel safe, supported, and valued.

The Trust commits to this work knowing the process will be dynamic and sometimes difficult to implement. Through annual review of Strategic Plan goals, the Trust will hold itself accountable for making progress and making the preservation community a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive space.

Approved March 26, 2024