This past year, thanks to the generous support of WeldWerks Brewing Co., the UNC community had an opportunity to participate in workshops designed to create a space where students, faculty and staff could explore topics related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) across a broad range of identities.

The Understanding and Navigating Inclusion Through Education (UNITE) program is led in-person and virtually by members of the UNC community and includes topics like: Disability and Accessibility, DREAMer Zone, Exploring Military Culture and Veterans Experiences, Sexism and Gender Justice, Race and Racism, Spirituality and Religious Identity Dialogues, Straight Facts About Queer Life, Becoming A Hispanic-Serving Institution, and Inclusivity in Mental Health.

“The UNITE program offered an amazing opportunity for us to target our support for diversity equity and inclusion in a more impactful and sustainable way,” says Roy Van Anda, Community Engagement Manager for WeldWerks. “Having access to the education and space for community-wide discussions around DEI is so vital to the health of our communities and industry. Our support for the UNITE program also launched our 2021 Philanthropic beer series, the 10K IPA.” 

This beer series was designed to select one charitable partner or program each quarter and to provide $10,000 to their organization. The UNITE Edition—a Double IPA with Citra, Strata, and Idaho Gem hops—was the first to be released. While this specific beer series will not be continuing in the same capacity this year, WeldWerks will continue to expand their philanthropic programs and giving strategies.

“We look forward to helping support UNITE so it can continue to be a growing resource in the future for UNC students, staff and the larger community of Weld County,” Van Anda says. “We’re also excited to be more involved in the program this year to learn first-hand all the benefits it has to offer,” Van Anda says.

In addition to its continued support of UNITE, WeldWerks has also partnered with UNC to establish the WeldWerks Diversity Scholarship, an annual scholarship for students of color, with preference given to students who have an interest in brewing science.