The Mayor’s Office of Equal Opportunity, along with Anchorage’s Diversity Commission, is hosting a free community-wide “Diverse City (Diversity) Barbecue” on Friday, July 25 on the Delaney Park Strip, 5-8 p.m.

What do they mean by “diversity?”

Diversity in this Administration’s book means, in addition to differences based on ethnicity, gender, age, religion, disability, national origin and sexual orientation, an infinite range of individuals’ unique characteristics and experiences, such as communication styles, career, work, life experience, educational backgrounds and other variables.  

Eat free hamburgers, hotdogs, and samples of ethnic foods while listening to live music from local bands. Beer and wine will be sold in a secured area. Adults can participate in the diversity barbecue cook-off and the karaoke competition, and look for jobs at the Department of Labor’s mobile employment station. Kinds can enjoy free youth activities.

The Mayor’s Office is also organizing the 2008 Mayor’s Diversity Month, September 1 through September 30, bringing together a wide variety of community organizations “to host events that combat bias and promote a respect for diversity.”

All events and programs help build positive relationships, partnerships and bridges to encourage acceptance of Anchorage’s broad diversity base. The community is invited to participate in the celebration by hosting a diversity event in conjunction with Mayor’s Diversity Month or to assist with an already scheduled event.

Organizations that are interested in hosting a diversity event can download an event form on the MOA’s Diversity page. Want to get involved? Diversity month organizing meetings are every other Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in the Mayor’s Conference Room, 8th floor, City Hall, 632 W. 6th Avenue. Meeting dates are: June 26, July 10, July 24, August 7, and August 21.