LIGHT UP IDAHO
Spark Change. Speak Up.
WELCOME TO
INCLUSIVE IDAHO
Light Up Idaho
Spark Change. Speak Up.
About Us.
Working Together to Build Inclusion in Idaho.
Our mission is to elevate inclusion and belonging in Idaho with an intentional focus on advocacy, support and coalition with and for and with the BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and all historically excluded communities.
Our Team. Our Story.
We are a group of friends who came together to start something bigger than ourselves. Following the organization of the Vigil for Black Lives at the Idaho State Capitol in June of 2020, we decided that the real change we are seeking required more than a single great moment, and in a matter of days, Inclusive Idaho was born. With a deep passion for humankind, education, equity, justice, and access we work to bring our communities together in advancing inclusion.
Whitney Mestelle
(she/they)
Co-Founder/ED
Whitney is driven by her belief that inclusion and belonging is critical to an individual’s ability to thrive in their community. She is committed to building a better Idaho through the elevation of conversation, inclusion, equity, and coalition with those most minoritized. Whitney enjoys spending time in the Idaho outdoors, live music, travel, and all things track & field.
Email Whitney
Whitley Hawk
(she/her)
Co-Founder/Operations
Whitley is passionate about inclusion and believes it is on all of us to play our part in building better communities. Our efforts to educate, engage with community, or give a helping hand to our neighbor can make a difference. Whitley is a Army veteran, wannabe food critic, extreme extrovert, and twin. In her free time she can be found planning her next trip, reading, or spending quality time with her friends and family.
Email Whitley
Austin Foudy
(he/him)
Community Impact & Outreach
A long-time Idahoan residing in Boise, Austin is passionate about building community, transformative justice, and elevating the voices of the minoritized. He is committed to enhancing awareness of systemic inequities and building strong relationships with fellow Idahoans in order to enact positive social change. Austin is also a lover of literature, an avid local music supporter, but he is happiest enjoying the sunshine in the Idaho outdoors or tending to his garden.
Email Austin
Britt McClintock
(she/they)
Inclusion Expert & Thought Partner
Britt has spent the last 15 years working in education and youth services with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. In 2015 they created a short documentary on the negative effects of gender socialization called Genderations – A Documentary. With this documentary they created trainings/workshops and traveled to a variety of colleges and universities to engage students in difficult conversations about gender, class, and race. Most recently Britt has been consulting for universities, colleges, and some small businesses on inclusion and equity initiatives, as well as working with parents, educating on race and gender. Britt also continues to bring her DEI work into outdoor spaces.
Brianna Gonzales-Escobar
(she/her)
Intern
Brianna is currently a senior Ethnic studies student, with a concentration in Latinx studies and a minor focus in political science. As a first generation low-income student she is passionate about providing a spaces of inclusion and accessibility to all. Brianna loves to explore and try new things that push her out of her comfort zone.
Meet Our Board of Directors
Terrance Green
Board President
Bright Bank – Senior Commercial Banking Relationship Manager
Barbara Wolfe
Board Vice President
The Car Park – Chief Operating Officer
Diana DeJesus
Board Secretary
U of I College of Law – Associate Director of Admissions
Brittany Pfister
Board Treasurer
Corporate Attorney – Built Technologies
Luis Lecanda
Board Member
Latnix Ski & Snow Board Assc Founder, Journalist, & Olympic Hopeful
Sylvia Oh
Board Member
Mental Health Practitioner & Realtor
Tom Rubens
Board Member
Business Consultant
Want to learn more about us?
Our Mission in Action
DEIJA
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Access.
We are excited to help you advance inclusion where you work, lead, or volunteer.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Join us.
Events, partnerships, and aid that advocates, celebrates, and elevates inclusion for Idaho’s most minoritized communities.
LGBTQIA2+ Rise & Shine Hike
Join us for inclusive community events, gatherings, and workshops.
VIEW EVENTS
Light Up Idaho
Together we can make our state a brighter, more inclusive place by speaking up about racism, homophobia, ableism, and the fears that divide us.
Spark Change. Speak Up.
Light Up Idaho is a call. A call to have difficult conversations with all who surround you. It’s a call to encourage Idahoans to make our state a more inclusive place by doing the necessary learning and finding the courage to make the uncomfortable change. If you’ve been silent, or have sat passively by when someone elevated racist, sexist, unjust, or fear-based remarks or ideas, it’s time to speak up. Our goal is to empower you to use your voice, even when you’re afraid.
Not sure where to start? Here are some helpful resources that will walk you through the steps to navigating a difficult conversation.
Helpful resources to spark change.
Our helpful toolkits will guide you through the process of initiating hard conversations, recognizing your biases, and working toward a more inclusive work environment. Each resource contains additional educational material to help you broaden your own perspective.
Thank you for being an advocate for inclusivity. These resources are free of charge to you. Donations are appreciated.
FREE
Initiating Hard Conversations
Having a difficult conversation is, well, difficult. This toolkit will guide you through the process of starting a hard conversation, as well as offer advice about staying on track and maintaining a cool head through it all.
FREE
Stepping Toward Advocacy
Learning about your own biases and then how to combat them is the first step in building a more inclusive and equitable community. This guide is your first step in building a kinder, more aware self.
(Donations appreciated.)
FREE
Intro to Inclusive Leadership
No matter if you’re in a corner office or a cubicle, you can learn how to create and lead a more equitable work environment. This guide is just what you need to begin learning how to bring change to your company.
(Donations appreciated.)
VIEW VIDEO
Help Us Spread the Light.
The Light Up Idaho campaign was created to spread this important message throughout Idaho. Keep an eye out for it on social media and on your TV and streaming services.
A simple act like sharing it with your family and friends helps our light spread. Every time you speak up, share, or do any small part, our state shines brighter.
Be an ally. Display your FREE yard sign.
Help us spread this important message in your community by displaying the Light Up Idaho yard sign series for all to see! Choose from one of two options: our conversation starter sign series that includes five signs and makes a highly-visible statement, or the standalone sign that promotes our tagline, “Spark change. Speak up.”
For a limited time only: Yard signs are FREE on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The remaining yard signs will be available for pick-up:
Tuesday, October 5th | noon – 6 pm
Wednesday, October 6th | noon – 6 pm
Thursday, October 7th | noon – 6 pm
FREE
Conversation starter yard signs:
Do the right thing.
This series contains a total of five signs. When displayed in order, they read: “Do the right thing. Talk about racism, homophobia, ableism, transphobia.”
The last sign reads: “Spark change. Speak up.” and includes the Light Up Idaho logo and the Inclusive Idaho logo. At the bottom in green is inclusiveidaho.org.
(Donations appreciated.)
FREE
Light Up Idaho yard sign:
Spark change. Speak up.
Bring awareness and a call to action to your neighborhood with this evergreen yard sign. This sign can be displayed on its own and promotes the Light Up Idaho campaign.
The sign reads: “Spark change. Speak up.” and includes the Light Up Idaho logo and the Inclusive Idaho logo. At the bottom in green is inclusiveidaho.org.
(Donations appreciated.)
Shop Merch
All Inclusive Idaho merchandise purchases fund our work. We appreciate your support.
SHOP NOW
Our Latest Conversations:
Women’s History Month featuring Sue Chew & Shari Baber
VIEW VIDEO
VIEW VIDEO
Inclusive Conversations
We can achieve so much together just by sitting down and having a conversation.
LEARN MORE
Contact Us
INCLUSIVE IDAHO
Change Starts With Us!
501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization
Boise, Idaho
Ph: (208) 918-2545
Email: [email protected]
Related Business Information
Inclusive Idaho
Boise, ID, USA
Website: https://www.inclusiveidaho.org/
View the related business: Inclusive Idaho
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