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Race equity work in cities
Where inequities exist, it means that services, programs and policies have disparate impacts depending on race. For cities seeking to address racial inequities in their communities, there are several key actions to consider. They are listed below.
Key actions for cities to consider in addressing racial inequities
- Explore the demographic history, including the racial history, and current demographics of the community.
- Normalize the topic of race through hosting facilitated conversations among city staff, elected leaders, and in the community (e.g. book or film and discussion events).
- Identify local partners/community groups to engage in conversation about the experiences of people of color in the community.
- Collect and analyze data on city services by race (e.g. geographic data on where park improvements have been made or where trees have been planted by the city).
- Organize training for staff and elected officials that focuses on developing shared terminology and concepts of race and race equity (e.g. implicit and explicit bias).
- Identify staff and elected officials for an internal equity team; consider who is passionate for and interested in the work. Include employees and other officials of color.
Resources to support the work
The League has compiled a variety of resources to support cities in their work of advancing racial equity. They can be used to help the work of getting comfortable talking about race and examining programs and policies with an equity lens. Cities have used the following materials as foundations for dialogue among city staff and in the community.
- Race: Power of an Illusion (PBS series looking at the history of racism in the U.S., questions of whether race is biology or a social construct, and housing policy) – for film and discussion groups.
- Zootopia – for film and discussion groups about diversity and inclusion.
- White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo – for employee book club discussions.
- A Good Time for the Truth (essays by Minnesotan authors who identify as people of color) – for discussion groups.
- Implicit Bias: Peanut Butter, Jelly and Racism (PBS video) – for employee and elected official training sessions.
These are just a few examples. For the complete list of materials, including books, films, podcasts and short video clips please contact Arianna Bloom at abloom@lmc.org.
Consultants that work with cities
There are numerous consultants who work with local governments on race and race equity. For a list of these, please contact Arianna Bloom at abloom@lmc.org. Important issues for cities to consider when selecting a consultant include matching the city’s goals to a consultant’s services, ensuring that training or other services are available for the right number of people, and cost.
Connect with city peers working to advance racial equity
LMC hosts several online forums in a system called Memberlink. Users are able to post questions, respond to discussion threads, upload documents and other resources. There is a community for race equity work. Memberlink requires a MyLMC account name and password. Once you have set up an account, contact Arianna Bloom at abloom@lmc.org to request being added to the forum on race equity.
Related LMC resources
- Handling Media Inquiries About Race Equity Issues in Your City
- PATROL (Peace officer Accredited Training OnLine)
- Sources of demographic data
- First Amendment Concepts for Protests in Cities
- Intercultural Development Inventory FAQs
- Anti-racism resources from the Minnesota Asian Pacific American Bar Association
Other resources for support and learning
Government Alliance for Race and Equity (GARE). Trains and supports local government officials around the country to change programs, policies and procedures to address inequities.
NLC Race Equity and Leadership (REAL). This initiative strengthens and supports city leaders to address racial inequities
Questions?
If your city is interested in learning more about race equity resources available from the League, contact Arianna Bloom at abloom@lmc.org.
