Over the past several decades, Bellevue has grown from a quiet suburban bedroom community into a dynamic, international and multicultural city. The city mirrors our culturally diverse and globally interdependent world, and its diversity is an asset that makes our community unique and vibrant! The City Council’s vision statement begins, “Bellevue welcomes the world. Our diversity is our strength."
With the adoption of Bellevue’s Diversity Advantage Plan in 2014, the work of making this vision a reality has informed and fueled new citywide efforts to grow as a culturally competent organization and to broaden community engagement. To accomplish this, Bellevue formed a full-time Diversity Advantage Team to serve as drivers and catalysts for organizational and community change. Over the past decade, this initial commitment has expanded to include countless examples of the city embedding diversity, equity and inclusion into our daily work.
Bellevue’s diversity work is rooted in the principles of equity, access, inclusion, opportunity and cultural competence. These principles inform efforts underway to improve city policies, staffing and hiring, training, communications, services and outreach. For the community, this work is also improving our human services, public safety, education, economic development and civic engagement.
Promoting, understanding and practicing access equity, inclusion, opportunity and cultural competency is the responsibility of all.
Diversity Advantage Plan 2035
The city is currently updating its plan to guide progress toward a welcoming environment where everyone feels valued and can contribute their diverse perspectives and talents.
Cross-Cultural Center Without Walls
The Cross-Cultural Center pilot program offers funding for local organizations to host events or workshops that bring people together around shared intercultural experiences.
Events
Throughout the year, Bellevue hosts a number of events that celebrates our diverse community.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Core Value
In 2024, city leadership adopted a sixth core value, “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion”.