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# Inclusion Initiatives Supported in the Region by Walmart Foundation and Tyson Foods
- URL: https://cibocom.ghost.io/inclusion-initiatives-supported-in-the-region-by-walmart-foundation-and-tyson-foods/
- Published: 2018-07-31T00:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-08T15:12:25.000Z
- Author: Cibocom
- Tags: Tyson Foods, pork, beef, poultry

EngageNWA Unveils Comprehensive Strategy to Improve Living Standards and Boost Economic Progress for All Inhabitants With generous financial backing from Tyson Foods and Walmart Foundation, EngageNWA, functioning under the Northwest Arkansas Council, has initiated its comprehensive strategy aimed at enhancing the region's capacity to foster an inclusive and hospitable environment for all residents of Northwest Arkansas. The specifics of the four-year strategy were revealed today at a press briefing at The Jones Center in Springdale. The strategy encompasses initiatives to propel Northwest Arkansas ahead in five crucial sectors: economic growth, governance, civic participation, secure and interconnected communities, and education. "EngageNWA's efforts are a vital element of our overarching economic growth strategy for the region," stated Nelson Peacock, the Council’s President and CEO. "To maintain Northwest Arkansas's status among the top places to live and work in the nation, we need everyone to feel a strong bond with our community." The demographic composition of Northwest Arkansas has seen a significant shift over the past three decades, evolving from a region with 4 percent nonwhite population in 1990 to one that’s projected to be 31 percent nonwhite by 2022, according to a report released earlier this year by EngageNWA. The region’s Hispanic/Latino, Asian, African-American, and Pacific Islander populations are anticipated to grow in the upcoming years. Margot Lemaster, EngageNWA’s Executive Director, stated, "It’s evident from the nearly 200 stakeholders who contributed to the strategy's formulation this past year that many community members, especially those from diverse backgrounds, desire a stronger bond with the wider Northwest Arkansas community and need access to necessary resources." The strategy identifies regional challenges such as the need to attract, develop and retain workforce, a lack of diverse representation in the region’s leadership, a gap in newcomers’ understanding of local systems and how to access services, and the need for enhanced cross-cultural communication and cultural awareness. Julie Gehrki, Vice President of Walmart Foundation, said, "Since its inception, the Northwest Arkansas Council has partnered with Walmart and the Walmart Foundation to improve the living standards in the region. This strategy outlines ambitious steps for regional partners to collaborate towards the shared objective of ensuring everyone has the opportunity to prosper. We are proud to join fellow business leaders like Tyson Foods in announcing our continued support of the Council and EngageNWA." The Walmart Foundation granted $450,000 to the Northwest Arkansas Council to bolster the Council’s efforts to expedite regional diversity and inclusion programs through EngageNWA, specifically the strategic planning process. Additionally, the grant supports the Council’s leadership and regional stewardship efforts to implement aspects of its strategy as well as an annual survey of over 450 companies in partnership with chamber of commerce partners to gather and aggregate data on the region’s workforce and economic development needs. A Tyson Foods Community Cornerstone Grant of $262,466 is assisting five recipients in executing key aspects of the EngageNWA strategy. Hector Gonzalez, Vice President, Human Resources for Tyson Foods, said, "Today’s announcement underscores the shared values of our community that we’re so proud to be a part of. By investing in a range of community partners, we’re taking the next step toward reaching our goal of recruiting, retaining and engaging the most diverse and skilled group of team members possible." Key initiatives for the Tyson Foods grant recipient include: • The City of Springdale received $96,400 to organize a community forum to gather input about the city’s future, implement a civic academy to educate residents about accessing and engaging with city services and leadership opportunities, hire a person to oversee the city’s Welcoming Communities efforts, and produce videos and documents in English, Spanish and Marshallese about how to access services and stay safe. • EngageNWA received $63,681 to manage the grant and to develop a program that identifies, trains and connects qualified individuals to leadership roles; create a unified voice for regional inclusion efforts through a communications campaign; organize community cohesion forums to bring together a diverse group of Northwest Arkansas residents; and coordinate diversity and inclusion training for different sectors. • CanopyNWA received $37,979 to offer a community orientation workshop series for newcomers about how to navigate key community systems and to pair new arrivals with established community members through a mentor program to help them connect to the community and achieve their goals. • Welcoming America received $40,000 to collaborate with the cities of Fayetteville and Springdale to meet the indicators of at least two areas of the Welcoming Standard. • Teen Action and Support Center received $24,406 to enhance access to services for Spanish and Marshallese speakers by providing culturally sensitive translators for services and by translating key service materials. The complete EngageNWA strategy and information on how community members can participate is available at www.engagenwa.org. The efforts by EngageNWA and its partners are a crucial part of the Greater Northwest