At The Center for Equity and Inclusion, we have a vision: to be a key driver of the movement and transform the spaces and systems within which we live and work. We believe workplaces are better when embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).  For our Founders, this belief - in creating more equitable workspaces and the opportunities they present - served as the impetus for starting the Center. 

But the Center wasn’t an overnight idea or a response to a growing interest in “DEI.”  The work of the Center started long before…

It started more than a decade ago when phrases like "equity" were not commonplace. At the time, Hanif Fazal led an organization and drove its internal equity work to better serve the community, amplify diverse perspectives, and address disparities. Under Hanif’s leadership, the organization diversified all levels of leadership to reflect the community it was serving. Focusing on building a more inclusive culture increased staff retention and shifted how the organization provided services to communities of color. All this led to remarkable programmatic outcomes and increased funding from foundations and partners. This work also led to a request for Hanif to consult with the largest private Foundation in Oregon to support their equity work. His work with this organization sparked deeper exploration in the philanthropic sector, prompting questions such as: What does genuine equity entail in grantmaking? How do organizations bear responsibility for advancing meaningful equity within the communities they serve? As these questions gained traction, a more systemic vision of how to advance racial equity within organizations began to take shape.

Simultaneously, Frewine Kiros, who would later become the Co-Founder of the Center alongside Hanif, was running her own social service-related business and recognizing the lack of proper support for marginalized communities. Frewine was confident about the need for equity work within organizations and understood how to position the Center to meet those needs. She would become instrumental in building the business and the services the Center offered. Additionally, as a skilled equity facilitator, Frewine’s ability to lead training for people from different backgrounds and varying levels of racial consciousness creates a unique learning space. It provides meaningful learning opportunities, which also helped establish the Center’s credibility. Her business acumen and adept facilitation were critical to the launch of The Center. 

Together, Hanif and Frewine were a force.  They began to build a vision for meaningful organizational transformation.  Bringing in additional perspectives and talent, the Center positioned itself as a leading DEI consultancy. A bridge between aspiration and implementation, helping organizations navigate the complexities of DEI with integrity and purpose. 

Since those early years, the Center’s work has been about assessment, training, culture transformation, strategic action planning, and coaching. It’s become about new processes and practices that guide an organization to operate fundamentally differently.  It meant moving from performative talking points about DEI commitments to real action for some organizations. For others, it meant understanding that this work is never fully complete - there is no box with a bow on it.



Over the years, word of the transformative successes achieved by organizations under the Center’s guidance spread rapidly, catapulting the Center onto the national stage. Today, our work continues to evolve - to meet the needs of a rapidly changing workforce and political climate.  Through it all, our experiences, past and present, serve as a testament to the power of inclusivity and belonging in driving organizational success. 

As we embark on the next chapter of the Center, we embrace the dual roles of pioneers and learners, integrating our collective wisdom and innovative spirit into ever-expanding targeted areas of services and support focused on cultural transformation, strategic integration, empowered leadership, and equitable impact aimed at helping businesses thrive through their commitment to DEI.

Each month, we offer you the opportunity to connect directly with different members of the Center’s team through their substack articles. Through their insights, you'll better understand how DEI principles permeate various fields and projects. This approach speaks to our core value of honoring the individuals who comprise our team and recognizing the richness that multiple perspectives bring to our work.

If you are curious about our current program offerings, you can learn more at www.ceipdx.com.