Advancing Racial Equity: The Role of Government (Boston)

The “Advancing Racial Equity: the Role of Government” workshop will provide an introduction to the role, responsibilities and opportunities for government to advance racial equity in the Greater Boston Region. The workshop will include time to strategize with local planning partners and co-sponsors on opportunities to eliminate inequities in housing, transportation, public health, education, criminal justice, jobs, and environmental justice.

We’ll focus on national best practices. We know government must transform if we are to achieve racial equity in our communities. Within our cities and counties, we must normalize racial equity as a key value, operationalize racial equity via new policies and institutional practice, and organize, both internally and in partnership with other institutions and the community.

The workshop will include an overview of shared terminology and use of racial equity tools that can be used in decisions relating to policies, practices, programs and budget.

The workshop will be led by:

• Julie Nelson, Director of the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE)
• Glenn Harris, President of the Center for Social Inclusion (CSI)

Nelson and Harris were instrumental to the success of Seattle’s Race and Social Justice Initiative and the launching of the Governing for Racial Equity Network in the Northwest. GARE, CSI, and the Haas Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Society at the University of California, Berkeley are currently working with cities and counties across the country to leverage the power of government to advance racial equity and increase success for all our communities.

Opening welcome:

• Shaun Blugh, Chief Diversity Officer, Mayor’s Office of Diversity, City of Boston

Lunchtime panelists:

• Felix Arroyo, Cabinet Chief, Health and Human Services, City of Boston
• Atyia Martin, Chief Resiliency Officer, City of Boston
• Tom Keiffer, Executive Director, Southern Jamaica Plains Health Center
• Leon Andrews, Director, Race, Equity and Leadership (REAL), National League of Cities

Our panelists will discuss the responsibilities and opportunities for government to advance racial equity in the Greater Boston Region.

Co-sponsors for the event include:

• Boston Tenant Coalition
• City of Boston, Office of Fair Housing and Equity
• On the Move (OTM)
• Southern Jamaica Plain Health Center
• Boston Racial Justice and Equity Collaborative
• Somerville Community Corporation
• Action for Regional Equity

Co-sponsors hope to learn strategies from across the country from cities and counties that have established a commitment to promote and champion policies that address persistent racial inequities in income, wealth, health, learning, and other life impacting conditions.

If you work for government or with government, this is the workshop for you. Registration fee is $100 (includes light breakfast and lunch), and scholarships are available.

Register Now

For additional information:

Janine Anzalota
City of Boston Office of Fair Housing and Equity
Janine.Anzalota@boston.gov

Kathy Brown
Boston Tenant Coalition
kathy@bostontenant.org
(617) 423-8609

The Government Alliance on Race and Equity is a national network of government working to achieve racial equity and advance opportunities for all. When we work together, we know we will increase our collective success.