We Believe In UTAH

Who We Are

In recent years, Utah has transitioned from a small state to a mid-sized state with an elite economy, while also becoming more racially and ethnically diverse. These changes lead to many of the same issues found in other states, including unaffordable housing, resource limitations, cultural divides, and immigration challenges.

Utah We Believe In is a group of local thought leaders and organizations that have come together to help Utahns find more things in common by living up to our shared state values.

Our Mission

To inspire a different narrative about how our shared values can be put into action through our model of Inspire, Unify, and Activate.

01. Inspire

Inspire the hearts of Utahns to change the narrative.

A statewide storytelling and communications effort grounded in Utah’s shared values—Community, Hard Work, Families, Nature, and Faith. The goal is to tell a stronger story about who we are as Utahns, elevate examples of people working across differences, and move the public conversation away from polarization and toward what we share.
02. Unify

Unify public support by building a cross-sector coalition.

Bring together business, elected, civic, faith, community, and other leaders around a shared language and framework. This includes messaging, tools, convenings, and resources that help leaders communicate and work across differences while building broader public support.
03. Activate

Activate our local communities through collective action.

Turn shared values and the narrative into visible, local action. Provide Utahns with tools, resources, curated opportunities, and a limited number of grants that enable people to come together across differences and take action on issues that matter in their communities.

The Teams and Groups Behind the Utah We Believe In Movement

Leadership Team

The Center for Economic Opportunity and Belonging

in partnership with Boncom

Ze Min Xiao

President & CEO

Byron Russell

Executive Strategist

Project Strategic Advisory Committee

The Project Strategic Advisory Committee is a hands-on group that helps guide the strategy, development, and implementation of Utah We Believe In. Members bring expertise, relationships, and practical insights to help move the work from vision to action and to guide continuous improvement. They will provide strategic guidance, help shape priorities and activities, identify opportunities and challenges, connect the movement to partners and resources, and advise on implementation.

The committee will meet twice a year, for approximately 60 minutes each time, with occasional opportunities for consultation or engagement at key moments between meetings.

Board of Advisors

The Board of Advisors is a small group of respected Utah leaders who provide high-level counsel, credibility, and connections to strengthen and advance The Utah We Believe In statewide. Members will provide strategic advice, serve as ambassadors for the movement, help build relationships with leaders and institutions, identify opportunities for partnership and support, and lend their voices at important moments.

The Board of Advisors will meet twice a year, for approximately 60 minutes each time, with additional participation in major events and activities based on members’ interest and availability.

Community Advisory Council

The Community Advisory Council brings together a diverse group of Utahns to help ensure Utah We Believe In reflects the experiences, values, and realities of communities across the state. Members will share community perspectives, provide feedback on strategies and activities, identify emerging needs and opportunities, connect the movement with local communities and networks, and help ensure the work remains grounded and relevant.

The council will meet four times a year, for approximately 60 minutes each time, with additional opportunities to participate in community conversations and activities throughout the year.

National Advisory Committee

The National Advisory Committee brings together national thought leaders and practitioners who can contribute research, experience, and lessons from efforts across the country to strengthen Utah’s approach to bridging differences, fostering belonging, and building social cohesion. Members will share promising practices, advise on strategy and measurement, connect the movement to national resources and networks, and help position Utah to learn from and contribute to the broader national field.

The committee will meet virtually once a year, for approximately 90 minutes, with occasional opportunities for consultation as relevant needs or opportunities arise.

Apply for a Grant

Utah We Believe In starts with everyday Utahns coming together to build stronger communities. These mini-grants support local projects that put our five shared values—Community, Hard Work, Families, Nature, and Faith—into action.

Learn more