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Diversity and CommUNITY Engagement Hub
Welcome! Thank you for visiting the Diversity & CommUNITY Engagement Hub. This space is dedicated to building connections, celebrating community, and inspiring positive change. Explore resources and stories that highlight Bremerton’s diversity and help strengthen the relationship between residents and local government. As our city evolves, we grow stronger - together.
Quincy Square Recap
August 2025
On July 12th the City of Bremerton held a grand opening festival to unveil its newest cultural landmark – Quincy Square, a pedestrian friendly plaza designed to honor the legacy of record producer and musician Quincy Jones. Jones spent his early years in Bremerton where he first discovered his love for music after playing an upright piano at a community center.
In a letter sent to the city in 2019, Jones gave his blessings for the project to be named after him. According to Jones, "Bremerton has always held a special place in my heart as it was where I first discovered what would be my life's passion, music. I would be honored and humbled to have my name grace the city's new downtown district.”
See slide show for highlights of the festival.
Staff/Community Highlight
We Want to Hear From You
Submit questions and feedback through our Diversity and Community Engagement comment form.
Resources
As an organization, we are committed to learning and thriving collectively through continuous improvements of our policies and processes to ensure city resources are accessible for all stakeholders both in and outside of our organization. Download the Culture and Belonging Initiatives (PDF) to learn more about some of our internal efforts.
Learn more about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). Download the Fast Facts on DEI (PDF).
Bremerton Think Tank (BTT) serves as the city’s inclusive internal workgroup to provide organizational leadership with feedback, insights and support for initiatives concerning employee and community engagement. Recognizing the need to drive long-term success, a diverse group with representative (s) from all departments is actively engaged in this workgroup to foster innovation and creativity. Download the Bremerton Think Tank (PDF) to learn more.
The goal of the community engagement framework is to provide consistent messaging, timely updates and a unified approach to enhance the organization’s ability to engage and connect with the community. Download the Community Engagement Framework (PDF).
More information will be coming soon.
At the City of Bremerton, we believe that our strength lies in the diversity of our community. By embracing our differences and celebrating what makes each person unique, we build a stronger, more innovative and more compassionate community. We are dedicated to this ongoing journey of creating belonging for everyone.
We recognize that inclusion is an active practice rather than a destination. We pledge to:
- Create accessible spaces and opportunities for all
- Respond with humility when we fall short, and commit to learning and growth
- Listen to and amplify diverse voices and perspectives
- Remove barriers to participation and success
August 18, 2025
Federal Judge sides with Bremerton and 59 other local governments to halt new federal grant conditions related to DEI, immigration, and more
The City of Bremerton relies on federal funding for critical programs such as improving City roads and other infrastructure, providing weatherization, home repairs and affordable housing for low-income households, and supporting businesses and childcare programs.
Funding for these programs is approved by Congress and administered by various federal agencies. Earlier this year federal agencies started adding new conditions and conformity requirements that were unrelated to the purposes of the grants. The City Council was provided a memorandum prepared by City Attorney Kylie Finnell and Financial and Administrative Services Director Mike Riley discussing the City’s federal funding and potential new grant certification requirements at the February 12, 2025 City Council Study Session. City staff continued to monitor steps necessary to protect City programs and on June 25, 2025 the City Council unanimously authorized the City Attorney to pursue legal action to challenge the new conditions.
On July 10, 2025, Bremerton joined 59 other local governments from across the country in a lawsuit filed against several federal agencies challenging the new grant conditions. The local governments filed over 100 sworn declarations, including declarations from Bremerton staff members, supporting a motion for a preliminary injunction.
On August 12, 2025, Judge Barbara Rothstein issued an order granting the motion for a preliminary injunction halting federal agencies from imposing or enforcing the challenged conditions. This injunction allowed the City to move forward with applications for continued federal grant funding without having to comply with the new conditions and conformity requirements.
Request a meeting or event appearance with Mayor Wheeler by submitting a Scheduling Request for Mayor form.
To view past monthly recognitions and staff/community highlights, please visit the D&CE Archives webpage.
