To close out an impactful year, GARE hosted the 2024 GARE Network Celebration on December 19. The online gathering brought together racial equity practitioners from across our network to share their 2024 accomplishments, highlight key initiatives, and look ahead to 2025.
The event also featured a recap of GARE’s 2024 milestones and a preview of our plans for the year ahead, including online programming and in person events. Most importantly, it served as a platform for practitioners to showcase their incredible work to advance racial equity within their jurisdictions. Here are a few highlights from their reflections:
- Anya Dickson-Arguello, City and County of Denver, CO: Secured a $12 million Digital Equity Act grant to improve technology access and infrastructure.
- Maria Dominguez, Alameda County Health, (San Francisco/Oakland), CA: Using an inside/outside approach, advanced language access initiatives for HIPAA compliance. and developed plans to enhance health equity.
- Natashia Conner, Public Health – Dayton and Montgomery County, OH: Launched an agency-wide Disability Inclusion Plan to improve internal equity belonging and inclusion and planning to implement a Data Equity Strategy to enhance service to the community.
- Megan Morgan, California Arts Council: Brought on a new person to the Race and Equity Team, hosted the California GARE regional meeting, shared tools and resources at the GARE Membership Meeting, one team member was the recipient of a national DEI award, and they are looking forward to launching a public equity dashboard, In addition, the Council has noted a large uptick in the diversity of applicants as the result of strategic outreach campaigns.
- Alex Gibilisco, Spokane, WA: Held staff and city council equity trainings, engaged in belonging and antiracism conversations with local institutions, awarded a grant to implement equity initiatives in neighborhoods impacted by environmental justice issues. Spokane will focus on developing a racial disparate impacts analysis to align with state requirements, building a relationship with the new mayor, and greater community engagement.
- Isabel Camacho, City of Dallas, TX: Office of Equity and Inclusion brought GARE to Dallas, led the wellness space at the GARE Southern Regional Meeting, and celebrated the city’s third annual proclamation of the National Day of Racial Healing.
- Aimee Kane, City of Boulder, CO: Delivered 66 equity-related trainings impacting over 500 employees, created and supported implementation of JEDI teams for all departments, launched two new affinity groups, and completed a procurement disparity survey.
- Karyn Pelon, Kent County, MI: Made strides with the West Michigan Welcome Plan, including new resources, and trainings for immigrants, and refugees. County department accomplishments included the pilot of initiatives geared towards supporting BIPOC businesses, the implementation of Cultural Intelligence trainings for new hires, and ongoing equity learning opportunities for staff.
- Rocio Rodriguez, County of Sonoma, CA: Continued to meet as a BIPOC affinity group, implemented a Race Equity Analysis for board items, and completed the Equity Infrastructure Survey. Currently working towards approval of a Health Equity Action Plan in coordination with the County Office of Equity.
The event closed with reflections from GARE staff, expressing gratitude for the resilience and dedication of our network practitioners, who are making bold strides towards a more equitable future. As we move into 2025, we look forward to deepening our connections and amplifying the exceptional work of practitioners and jurisdictions across the GARE network. Let’s carry this hope and momentum into the new year and continue to build the racially equitable systems our communities deserve.