To build and sustain a coalition that seeks a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive community through advocacy and education.

The Coalition was founded in 2011 as a response to a widely reported incident involving a cross burning in Arroyo Grande. Steve Adams, then City Manager of Arroyo Grande, assembled a cadre of influential citizens to discuss what the community’s response should be.

While many others felt it unnecessary, with the support of multiple local government agencies, education leaders, businesses, non-profit organizations and other concerned citizens, the Five Cities Diversity Coalition was born.

Its first action was producing and distributing a brochure throughout the Five Cities community, “Diversity is Good for Everyone,” communicating the many reasons and ways we should both appreciate and celebrate our differences. Our education efforts have expanded since true to our roots.

In 2019, the Coalition, expanded its influence and efforts beyond the Five Cities and renamed itself Diversity Coalition San Luis Obispo County.

Today, the Coalition works with dozens of nonprofits, government agencies, schools, and hundreds of community members to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion values at a local and regional level, and each year we engage about 5000 people in the Central Coast.