Diversity Talk: Temple’s Population Shifts as Central Texas Grows

Temple, along with Bell County, is becoming more diverse as it grows — with more Black, Latino, Asian, Hindu, Muslim, Jewish, and LGBTQ residents added to the mix.

Across the city, business owners of color are investing in Temple by opening or relocating their businesses here, as its prime location along Interstate 35 is an economic driver. The city is already home to several religious organizations, including the Central Texas Hindu Temple. And this year, some residents started a local Pride organization and celebrated with local family activities.

Temple, they say, is a good place to call home, but some residents might be more loving toward their neighbors as reminders of racism and hate linger.

Bennie Walsh, who spoke in his role as president of the NAACP’s Temple Unity chapter, is a member of the city’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission, one of several panels led by citizens created by the Temple City Council following the fatal shooting. of Michael Dean, a black man killed by Carmen DeCruz, a former Temple police officer charged with the murder.

“The reason this is so important is that racism and discrimination still exist here at Temple,” Walsh said. “And, if nothing is done to change it, it will continue like this. That’s the importance of this committee (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion), to help bring about change and get people to understand that change needs to be made.

Joe Goodson is part of a group that opposes the company being considered by the Board to help bring about a diversity plan.

He said he and others against hiring Nova Collective were among those who attended several prayer rallies and other events to show community support for those affected by Dean’s death. He said the group’s opposition to Nova is not based on race, but because the company’s ideas and efforts to promote diversity are divisive.

Jessie Castro, president of Temple Pride, said he thinks the city has made progress over the past few years, but still has ways to improve.

“Temple is actually a good place to live,” Castro said. “He just needs a lot more diversity and a lot more acceptance, which I always say is on the way here.”

People of color are increasingly finding economic opportunity in Temple.

Bruceville-Eddy resident Tita Charleston opened her event and wedding venue called Total Elegance Creation at 15 S. Main St. on Nov. 26. The venue can accommodate up to 160 people and hosts weddings, club meetings and other events weekly.

Charleston said it found the space after visiting Ras Kitchen, a Jamaican restaurant that moved to downtown Temple from Killeen.

“It was a stroke of luck to find this place,” she told Telegram, referring to the former dance studio. “I’m very excited about running a business here. I’m glad to be here before (downtown) really explodes.

The two black-owned businesses are neighbors.

In 2020, Temple introduced the Commission on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, a nine-member appointed advisory committee. The goal of the commission is to promote equality in the city and eliminate discrimination. To do this, the group examines proposed municipal policies, practices and programs. The commission can make recommendations to the municipal council but has no funding power.

To help identify some of the changes that need to be made at the city level, the commission is expected to consider a consultant’s recommendation on diversity, equity and inclusion next month.

If approved by the commission, the Temple City Council — made up of two white men, including the mayor, two white women and a Hispanic woman — could consider a $112,000 contract with the Nova Collective, a consulting firm owned by Chicago women.

City manager Brynn Myers said the consultant would survey Temple employees and review existing practices. This, she said, would help the city determine if there are any unintended barriers to various diverse groups in Temple.

Myers said the Nova Collective’s work would be similar in cost and scope to other planning work or studies done by the city, such as those to determine where new parks or roads are needed.

“We are a service-based organization, we exist to provide services to our community, and we do so through our employees,” Myers said at the Board meeting on Thursday. “We want to have an environment as an employer and organization that allows everyone to perform at their best and provides opportunities for everyone.”

Jordan Valentin, another member of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission, said the work of the city panel will help address growth issues as the area’s population grows and diversifies.

“DCI’s work is crucial to the sustainable growth of our city because every citizen of the Temple deserves to feel valued, heard, and should have access to resources that give them opportunity and a sense of community,” Valentin said in a statement. “The starting line for removing barriers is at the city level. When we ensure that our city operates fairly, we can transmit these values from the way we do business to the way we treat our neighbors.

The proposal to hire Nova Collective drew opposition from some residents, 16 of whom spoke out at the council meeting Thursday.

A local group, Concerned Christian Citizens, is one of those opposing the proposed deal. The organization sent out a flyer with a picture of a drag queen on it, asking people to “Help us stop this!” The group has gained national attention for its stance on homosexuality in public institutions and schools in Temple and Killeen.

Goodson, president of the CCC, previously told the Telegram: “It is no longer politically correct to disagree with the way of life that the Bible calls immoral. Most people don’t talk about such things.

A local resident who spoke Thursday, Ron Davis, said he’s worried the city will use diversity to discredit anyone it disagrees with.

“I predict the diversity slogan will be used as a club,” Davis said. “(It will be) diversity, otherwise you get canceled, line up or shut up.”

Goodson said his organization was concerned about public funding for a “divisive group” and requested a meeting with the city manager. “Mrs. Myers has misinterpreted our concern, just as the Mayor did at the last Council meeting. We are not trying to stop a drag queen show in Temple, we are trying to stop any organization that displays the drag queenage to be invited to our city as an ‘advisor’ on politics,” he said.

Another resident, Molly Goodson, spoke out against hiring the consultant and other diversity measures, such as LGBTQ books at the Temple Public Library.

“At this point, it’s nothing short of an antagonism to a large portion of your citizens if you bring this in and (spend) these dollars,” Goodson said. “In the name of inclusion, please listen to us and stop this mistake.”

Some comments at Thursday’s meeting were against any acceptance of LGBTQ people, fearing alternative lifestyles were being taught to children.

Castro, who is gay, said he’s not surprised some people opposed to diversity efforts find something wrong with their stance.

LGBTQ people, he said, are your friends, family members, co-workers and neighbors — not people to be feared.

Despite attacks from some, Castro said he understands the mindset of these people.

“I think that’s what it’s more than anything, they’re scared,” Castro said. “They think if something changes it’s going to kind of mess up their lives and what they’re doing. Your life will go on as it was meant to go on, but things are changing.

While opponents of the Nova Collective hiring at the meeting used religion to advance their arguments, Walsh said Temple Christians should focus on love instead.

“People always try to dismiss religion when you start talking about the LGBTQ community,” Walsh said. “You don’t have to agree with their beliefs, but they are people and they were also created by God. We as Christians must learn to love instead of discriminate against people.

Walsh said he was not surprised by the vocal opposition to the diversity proposal.

City council members, Walsh said, will hopefully stay strong and support the needed changes despite some residents’ refusal.

“There are so many people who still have biases, so it doesn’t surprise me at all,” Walsh said. “I just hope the city tries to stay on track to make change. I know it’s easy to let people and voters sway you because those who complain and don’t want change are the voters.

The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission is expected to vote on a recommendation for the proposed deal at its Aug. 2 meeting.

City Council, which has financial power over municipal matters, will vote on the matter in August or September.

Writer Jerry Prickett contributed to this report.