Diversity in Utah

Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Utah

From the Governor

"There is no doubt we are stronger as a state when we embrace our differences and use our diversity as an asset."  -- Utah Governor Spencer Cox

In January 2021, Governor Spencer Cox was sworn in as Utah's 18th Governor. On day one, he signed the Utah Compact on Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and appointed Nubia Peña to his cabinet as Utah's first Senior Advisor on Equity and Opportunity.

Nubia Peña also serves as the Executive Director for the Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs. She sat down with EDCUtah to discuss Utah's strategy for supporting multicultural communities.
 

In the Community

In December 2020, Utah's business and government leaders signed the Utah Compact on Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion reaffirming our vision to create a society in which race and ethnicity do not determine or limit value, opportunity, and life outcomes. Similar Utah initiatives include:

• The Utah Compact on Immigration promotes common-sense immigration reforms that will strengthen our economy, as well as attract talent and business to our state.
• The Welcoming Salt Lake initiative, hosted by Salt Lake County in partnership with the Salt Lake Chamber, helps refugees and New Americans find belonging in our community.
• The Living Color Utah Gala honors those who have made it their mission to attract and sponsor diversity initiatives in the state of Utah.

Employer Case Studies 

Utah employers are successfully hiring, retaining, and elevating world-class talent from many diverse backgrounds. Examples include:

• Adobe
• Chevron
• Domo 
• Goldman Sachs
• Qualtrics
• Mortenson
• Zions Bank (coming soon)
   

Partner Organizations

Utah is home to many terrific advocacy groups who connect, support, and elevate diverse and underrepresented talent. EDCUtah works closely with these partner organizations and can make local introductions to additional advocacy groups upon client request.

• The Black Cultural Center at the University of Utah
• Equality Utah
• Pacific Islander Knowledge To Action Resources (PIK2AR)
• Suazo Business Center
• Utah Asian Chamber of Commerce
• Utah Black Chamber
• Utah Multicultural Commission
• Women Tech Council

Additionally, Living Color Utah maintains a wide range of resources for diverse Utahns and their families.

At EDCUtah

"Economic Development and DEI are connected at the hip. It’s imperative that we enable every dynamic in a community. Nobody can be left out if we’re going to reach an economy’s full potential." -- Tom Morgan, Executive Vice President of Zions Bank and EDCUtah Board Chair
 

In late 2020, EDCUtah chartered a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Board Committee. Members include executives from ten private companies, three Utah communities, and the State of Utah.

The DEI Board Committee will ensure that EDCUtah:

• Demonstrates diversity, equity, and inclusion in its own operations,

• Takes a leadership role in making Utah more welcoming for diverse talent, and

• Works to make Utah a preferred location for companies that embrace DEI in their workforce.

"Economic development is inseparable from diversity, equity, and inclusion. We look forward to adding our strength to the many community partners who are already doing groundbreaking work to support diverse talent in Utah, and we won’t stop until Utah enjoys the most inclusive economy in the nation.”  -- EDCUtah CEO Theresa Foxley