The Cranston Public Library has won an $8,600 grant from the Rhode Island Foundation to offer racial equity training to as many as 50 municipal, business and nonprofit leaders this fall. The initiative is a partnership with the OneCranston Working Cities Initiative and the Cranston City Council.

“Our grants will create places to gather, make friendships and launch new collaborations that will build community connections everywhere,” said Jessica David, the foundation’s executive vice president of strategy and community investments.

“As a founder of the newly formed Diversity Commission in Cranston, I believe this training will address equity, diversity and inclusion at the leadership level. As the minority population in Cranston continues to increase at a rapid pace, we must address the needs of all Cranston residents,” City Council President Michael Farina said.

The library will bring the Racial Equity Institute to Cranston to conduct the training using its “Groundwater Approach to Addressing Racial Inequities.” The goal is to give participants the skills to interact with diverse populations in a culturally competent manner.

“We are honored to lead the way for Cranston to begin to address racial inequities and to be a more socially cohesive community,” said Edward Garcia, library director.

The library is one of only 45 organizations statewide to receive a grant through the foundation’s competitive Community Grants program. The maximum grant was $10,000. Most of the work is expected to be underway before the end of the year.

“We’re excited about these ideas for making community happen in more and better ways at the local level. Supporting community-building will improve shared places and quality of life, promote collaboration and increase community engagement,” David said.

The Rhode Island Foundation is the largest and most comprehensive funder of nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island. Working with generous and visionary donors, the foundation raised $114 million and awarded $52 million in grants to organizations addressing the state’s most pressing issues and needs of diverse communities in 2018. Through leadership, fundraising and grant-making activities, often in partnership with individuals and organizations, the foundation is helping Rhode Island reach its true potential.

For more information, visit rifoundation.org.