The Greater Mankato Diversity Council
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The Greater Mankato Diversity Council (GMDC) exists to be the center of the Greater Mankato area, working together to build a welcoming, inclusive, and harmonious community through diversity education and meaningful action. Our mission is to cultivate awareness, foster connections, and fuel progress through education, to strengthen our vibrant and diverse community.. GMDC strives to give people an understanding of diversity and build their cultural competence through Promoting Respect Workshops, Perspectives Business training, multicultural events, and more.
GMDC is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that actively affirms and promotes the full participation of all. GMDC is not an advocate for any particular group or individual. It serves as a resource to all and emphasizes respecting our differences.
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Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. With freedom comes responsibility. For the person who is unwilling to grow up, the person who does not want to carry his own weight, this is a frightening prospect.” |
Visionary Leader, Ed Waltman, and Founding of GMDC in June 2004
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Ed Waltman, former Superintendent of Mankato Area Public Schools, is the visionary leader who brought together the coalition of leaders to address the increasing divisions and frictions in Southern Minnesota schools and communities from the growing diversity in the area's population. Reflecting upon his retirement as superintendent in 2009, Waltman listed many accomplishments during his service in Mankato, but said he was most pleased by the creation of the Greater Mankato Diversity Council in 2004. In his own words, "When I reflect on my 35 year career with the Mankato School District, providing leadership to the creation of GMDC was so important to me...I felt we must be proactive in our response to our demographic population change."
Since a coalition of the Greater Mankato area leaders already met monthly, knew each other well, and trusted one another, they cooperated in responding to Waltman's initiative. During the 2004-2005 year, a 23-member Diversity Task Force organized, researched, and developed the concept, management, funding, focus, and design of the Greater Mankato Diversity Council. The coalition included Waltman, as Superintendent of Mankato Area Schools, and leaders from government, education, business, public safety and community based organizations, including Blue Earth County, Nicollet County, the North Mankato and Mankato City Councils, Mankato Area Public Schools, Loyola Catholic Schools, Minnesota State University, South Central College, Greater Mankato Growth, Inc., the Mankato Area Foundation, the Greater Mankato United Way and its agencies. A Board of Directors representing governmental units, businesses, academic institutions, and area organizations was established to govern and guide the growth and outreach for the GMDC. Waltman's experience as Director of Business Affairs in the Mankato District for 21 years was especially important in securing financial support from more than 25 corporate sponsors with guarantees of a minimal 5 year start up commitment. Vertical Divider
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The first staff hires were an Executive Director and Education Director followed by administrative staff and volunteers. The Rochester Diversity Council initially mentored the Mankato education initiative and provided the model for K-12 Prejudice Reduction Workshops. A multi-faceted interchangeable diversity training Business Curriculum was developed to more effectively address individual business's diversity needs.
Today, the GMDC continues to be a visible and respected community resource. Our strong, local leadership has learned the strength of diversity. Any individual or organization can be part of the general membership and contribute to the mission of the GMDC. Vertical Divider
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No one does big things by themselves... We're going to have to do it together. So be alive to one another's struggles. Stand up for one another's rights. Leave behind all the old ways of thinking that divide us." |
