Preparing the Next Generation of Diverse Leaders in Parks and Recreation — Episode 145

Earlier this month I joined nearly 9,000 other people who are
passionate about parks and recreation in Dallas at the 2023 NRPA
Annual Conference. It was a week full of inspiration, networking
and fun — and for me, a chance to celebrate not only all the good
work happening in local parks and recreation, but also see the
culmination of my NRPA colleagues’ hard work in putting on what
was a truly incredible event. 


One of my biggest highlights of the week was connecting with
Chris Bass, CPRP, Director of Parks and Recreation for
Douglasville, Georgia, and the incoming Board President of the
National Recreation and Park Ethnic Minority Society (NRPEMS),
and Thamara Velasco, CYSA, a recreation assistant in
Douglasville, chair for public relations for NRPEMS and recipient
of NRPA’s Young Professional Fellowship.


I really enjoyed our conversation about all the good work going
on in Douglasville — who was a National Gold Medal Award Finalist
this year — as well as the important work Chris and Thamara are
doing to connect and support diverse and underrepresented park
and recreation professionals as part of the NRPEMS.


This was truly one of my favorite parts of this year’s
conference, and it was such a joy to sit down with Chris and
Thamara to learn more about them and soak in some of the passion
they have for parks and recreation – I was inspired after this
conversation, and I hope you are too.


Tune in to our full conversation below. You’ll learn:


How NRPEMS is building community for park and recreation
professionals of diverse cultures and backgrounds

Why it’s important to have a network focused on diverse
professionals in our industry

How NRPEMS has been beneficial for Chris and Thamara in their
careers

What being part of NRPEMS and being park and recreation
professionals serving their community means to Chris and
Thamara

How to get involved with the NRPEMS, and much more!



Related Links:


NRPEMS website

Follow NRPEMS on Instagram

Follow NRPEMS on Facebook

Connect with Chris on LinkedIn

Connect with Thamara on LinkedIn