History

History of the United Way Inclusion Council




In 1982, United Way of America recognized the need to strengthen the Hispanic presence in leadership positions and in the philanthropic sector. United Way partnered with the Kellogg Foundation, American Express, Coca Cola and Levi-Strauss to establish the Hispanic Leadership Development Program (HLDP) to nourish and strengthen a cadre of Hispanic leaders for service in the community. As part of the program, ten cities with a high Hispanic percentage were identified and awarded the funds to implement the HLDP. Tucson was one of the original ten cities chosen and United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona (UWTSA) was awarded funding for the program.  

In 1988, HLDP became the Multicultural Leadership Development Program (MLDP) and added the celebration of diversity and multiculturalism to its curriculum. The program taught participants to lead in diverse, multicultural settings and to become aware of the values and challenges of diverse cultures. MLDP welcomed people of every race, nationality, religious background and age group.

Beginning in 1990, several changes began to take place within the MLDP. Raytheon Missile Systems (formerly Hughes Missile Systems) began to provide funding for the program.  The MLDP mission statement evolved to accelerate the involvement of multicultural volunteer policymakers for leadership positions within the community. Additionally, MLDP began to serve as a resource to bring together people interested in volunteer management positions related to inclusion, diversity and sensitivity to multicultural issues. An advisory committee of 20 volunteer leaders was also formed to help United Way develop volunteer training programs.

In 2008, UWTSA approved the next phase of leadership and diversity when we changed our name, mission and vision to move MLDP from being an annual program for leadership to something more; to be an established council in the community that provides leadership and education about inclusion to the world of business. We are now the United Way Inclusion Council (UWIC). Our mission is to develop, connect and promote our community through the power of inclusion. The UWIC steering committee developed a goal to stay on the cutting edge of diversity, leadership and inclusion management. UWIC believes that inclusive leadership cultivates the ability to bring out the best in the diverse southern Arizona workforce and creates a sense of community with people from all walks of life.