Forum on Race Relations & Inclusion (FRRI)

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FRRI
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About Port St. Lucie’s Mission of Inclusivity

FRRI In 2016, in response to acts of violence in the United States stemming from racial tension, terrorism, hate and a lack of understanding, the City of Port St. Lucie began an ongoing community conversation – creating PSL’s Forum on Race Relations and Inclusion. Since then, City leaders have made it a priority to keep this constructive dialogue open. The City has organized and hosted open conversations and workshops on issues including race, LGBTQ+, acceptance not discrimination among teens and youth, disabilities, immigration, religious tolerance, bridging the gap between the community and the police and fair and impartial policing.

The Forum’s mission is to bring the people of Port St. Lucie together to listen, share concerns, learn, plan, act and report on progress in maintaining and enhancing our promise of being a City for ALL people.

The City would like to offer the following facts and let the community know that the Forum’s peaceful mission of unity will continue to be a priority for city leaders.

Facts about Port St. Lucie

Working

  • There are over 40 open positions or opportunities to work for a governmental agency that values diversity. 
  • The City employs people of different ages, genders, ethnicities, sexual orientations, cultural backgrounds, and education levels.
  • Best places to work for years 2003-2009 and 2015-2022. 

Living

Art & Cultural Identity 

PSL's art serves as a vibrant reflection of cultural identity, embracing diversity and celebrating the rich tapestry of human experiences.

  • The City celebrates diversity through public art. In fact, the City of Port St. Lucie has a dedicated Art in Public Places Fund, which is solely funded by applicable private development, not taxpayers. It also has a Public Art Master Plan.
  • The MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center is home to a 2,000-square-foot Art Gallery, a beautifully appointed exhibition space framed with stately columns and classic woodwork. It offers local and regional artists a professional venue to advance and display their work. 

Demographics

Port St. Lucie has been accurately characterized as a "melting pot" of people living together. Florida Trend Magazine highlighted Port St. Lucie for providing a mirror image to the State of Florida's average demographics.

The City is truly integrated without segregated neighborhoods.  In fact, our integration can be measured scientifically on the "Index of Dissimilarity."

The Roots of Structural Racism Project

A study by the University of California at Berkeley found Port St. Lucie is one of only two cities in the nation to be considered fully integrated. The Roots of Structural Racism Project was unveiled in June 2021 after several years of investigating the persistence of racial residential segregation across the United States.

Census Data

Race & Hispanic Origin:

  • White alone: 73.7%
  • Black or African American alone: 18.9%
  • American Indian and Alaska Native alone: 0.4%
  • Asian alone: 2.3%
  • Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone: 0.0%
  • Two or More Races: 2.7%
  • Hispanic or Latino: 20.1%
  • White alone, not Hispanic or Latino: 57.3%

White: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa. It includes people who indicate their race as "White" or report entries such as Irish, German, Italian, Lebanese, Arab, Moroccan, or Caucasian.

Black or African American: A person having origins in any of the Black racial groups of Africa. It includes people who indicate their race as "Black or African American," or report entries such as African American, Kenyan, Nigerian, or Haitian.

American Indian and Alaska Native: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South America (including Central America) and who maintains tribal affiliation or community attachment. This category includes people who indicate their race as "American Indian or Alaska Native" or report entries such as Navajo, Blackfeet, Inupiat, Yup'ik, or Central American Indian groups or South American Indian groups.

Asian: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam. This includes people who reported detailed Asian responses such as: "Asian Indian," "Chinese," "Filipino," "Korean," "Japanese," "Vietnamese," and "Other Asian" or provide other detailed Asian responses.

Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands. It includes people who reported their race as "Fijian," "Guamanian or Chamorro," "Marshallese," "Native Hawaiian," "Samoan," "Tongan," and "Other Pacific Islander" or provide other detailed Pacific Islander responses.

Two or more races: People may choose to provide two or more races either by checking two or more race response check boxes, by providing multiple responses, or by some combination of check boxes and other responses. For data product purposes, "Two or More Races" refers to combinations of two or more of the following race categories: "White," "Black or African American," American Indian or Alaska Native," "Asian," Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander," or "Some Other Race".

Timeline

September 2023: The City hosted its first-ever Port St. Lucie International Fest festival where attendees enjoyed traditional food, drink and cultures from countries like Jamaica, Ireland, Italy, Japan and more! A variety of performances were showcased and the celebration ended with Grammy Award winner Tomasito Cruz performing live!

July 2020: In response to recent events and protests for racial justice in cities across the U.S., the City of Port St. Lucie’s Forum on Race Relations & Inclusion hosted a listening session on July 16, 2020, at 6 p.m. There were 27 registered speakers, 13 walk-ins where 5 spoke at the podium and 99 people watched the event on the City's Facebook page.

2020: The City was approved for a $10,000 Challenge America grant to support the creation of a mural outside of the Minsky Gym depicting PSL’s vision to be a City for All People. The Challenge America funding category offers support primarily to small and mid-sized organizations for projects that extend the reach of the arts to populations that have limited access to the arts due to geography, ethnicity, economics, or disability. Efforts for 2020 include plans for a public workshop and working with the community and muralists to develop design concepts. The goal is to unveil the mural at a future Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration.

June 2019: On June 15, 2019 City staff and PD partnered with Youth Leadership St. Lucie and invited teens to participate in “A.N.D.?” (Acceptance Not Discrimination), an interactive seminar designed by teens primarily for teens to engage in candid conversation in a safe environment on the topic of discrimination for the purpose of gaining understanding and encouraging tolerance of the diversity found among their peers and in society at large. The seminar included a keynote speaker, breakout sessions on the topics of racial discrimination & LGBTQ+ discrimination, and a panel discussion.

December 2018: On December 5, 2018, staff held several GAAP sessions for youth at the Ken Pruitt Boys & Girls Club from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The session was tailored to benefit the younger population.

October 2017: The City invited the public to register for two workshops: GAAP (Gaining Appreciation by Adjusting Perspectives) Adult Session (focused on bridging the gap between the community and the police) which was held on Thursday, October 19, 2017; 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.; and LGBTQ+ - a panel discussion which was held on Tuesday, November 14, 2017; 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.  The GAAP session was limited to 30 participants.

November 2016: The City held its first ever Forum on Race Relations & Inclusion on Saturday, November 5, 2016 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event was focused on engaging sessions that included topics on: Race and ethnicity, fair and impartial policing; LGBTQ+: A Personal Journey; Disabilities; Immigration and inclusion; Religious tolerance; and bridging the gap between the community and the police. All members of the public were able to register for the event.  The event featured guest speakers and breakout session and was attended by over 400 people.

2017: The City of Port St. Lucie and Mayor Gregory Oravec received an Outstanding Achievement Large City 2017 Livability Award at the U.S. Conference of Mayor’s 85th Annual Meeting in support of the Forum on Race Relations & Inclusion. The Forum also recognized with an Honorable Mention in the 2017 Hermes Creative Awards and an award of commendation from the Public Relations Society of America, Sunshine District. From the daylong event in November of 2016, residents expressed particular interest in continuing discussions on bridging the gap between the community and police and LGBTQ+.

July 2016: In an effort to engage in honest dialogue and to brainstorm ways Port St. Lucie can enhance its identity as a safe City for all people, the City invited community partners and residents to participate in its first Forum on Race Relations and Inclusion. City staff and local stakeholders organized an eye-opening and valuable experience for the entire community.  

Testimonials

"Kudos to all organizers involved and for adding the teens' day. Thanks to the city, the officers giving their time, and everyone taking part in this important community conversation." - Tricia G.

"I would like to applaud you, Chief Bolduc and the Port Saint Lucie police department for your ongoing efforts to serve and treat all people fairly regardless of their race, ethnicity, national origin or religion." - Beverly Gary Hamilton, Esquire

"Very well organized. Can't wait for the next one." - Event Testimonial

"This is quite awesome." - Bill Allen