To qualify for the Gold Seal of Equity, you must maintain all Silver-level accomplishments and demonstrate commitment to creating an environment that celebrates and encourages diversity and inclusion. 
- Step 1: Internal Communications
- Step 2: Accessibility
- Step 3: Publicly Promote Diversity & Inclusion
- Step 4: Awareness Programming (9 Months)
Step 1: Internal Communications
The first step in achieving the Gold-level is to demonstrate that the organization has an internal communications function for communicating the importance of diversity and inclusion as well as the education and awareness program opportunities in the organization.
This internal communications function should also include a demonstrated commitment to fostering an inclusive culture within the organization as well as among the community. This should include an appointment of one person on the diversity committee who is responsible for internal communications.
To demonstrate this achievement, please submit the name of the diversity committee member responsible for internal communications as well as a role description.
Step 2: Accessibility
The second step in the Gold-level process is demonstrating that your organization has made its environment accessible by community members of all abilities. This includes:
- Signage in multiple languages to accommodate language diversity in your community
- If you have deaf or hard of hearing community members, employing sign language or other accommodations for the hearing impaired
- Develop a relationship with interpreters to accommodate communication with community members of different languages
- Review building accessibility for the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements and make upgrades as needed
Step 3: Publicly Promote Diversity & Inclusion
The third step in achieving Gold-level is to publicly promote the organization’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. To do this, your organization must incorporate pro-diversity messaging in its facility signage, website, email newsletter, brochures, and other marketing materials — in addition to including the Seal of Equity logo on all marketing materials.
To promote a culture of diversity and inclusion, we recommend the following message:
We Celebrate Diversity
To demonstrate this achievement, please provide copies of your marketing materials, including your website link and photos of facility signage.
Step 4: Awareness Programming
The fourth step in the Gold-level process is continuing the regularly scheduled awareness talks at your community center. We encourage you to reach out to other community organizations to bring valuable outside viewpoints to these talks. To qualify for the Silver Seal of Equity, the organization must demonstrate at least nine (9) months of consistent awareness programming.
Examples of awareness programming include:
- A day in the life of…
- Personal stories of prejudice
- Microaggressions
- Unconscious Bias
- Prejudice, pay, and promotions
- Deep dive into minority culture — food, clothing, style, and more
- Culturally representative pot-luck dinner
- What is cultural misappropriation with examples
- History of Racism in America
- Raising minority children in America
- Being an ally and bystander intervention
- Navigating the world with disabilities
- Safe spaces
Applicant organizations will present event calendars, programs, event promotional materials, and photos to demonstrate nine (9) months of consistent programs.