After a decade of developing and implementing racial equity tools and plans, many jurisdictions are now examining the ways their tools can drive deeper institutional change. That question brought practitioners from six GARE jurisdictions together in Detroit from June 25 to 27 for GARE Region Five’s Next Generation Tools Learning Exchange.
The Learning Exchange included a welcome dinner at Saffron De Twah, where James Beard-nominated Chef Omar Anani shared his own story of community leadership in Detroit. He reflected on the city's changing landscape and the impacts of gentrification, and emphasized the importance of empowering community leaders and centering the voices of those who live in, serve, and know their communities best.
On Friday, practitioners turned their attention to a central question: What distinguishes a tool that documents issues from a tool that changes decisions? Participants used a peer consultancy model to explore how existing racial equity tools could become more actionable by embedding them in strategic plans, budget processes, leadership structures, and everyday decision-making. This approach invites practitioners to share a concrete dilemma or challenge with their peers, receive clarifying and probing questions, and engage in deeper discussion and reflection, designed to surface insights, strengthen connections, and identify opportunities for action.
Practitioners workshopped eight tools, including Racial Equity Action Plans, Racial Equity Impact Assessments, and a Racial Healing and Harm Repair Framework. Consultancy discussions covered topics ranging from building leadership buy-in and bolstering service delivery to implementing tools towards system change and designing them to withstand political transitions. Practitioners challenged one another to think beyond implementation challenges and toward collective problem-solving. Across consultancies, a common theme emerged: the next generation of racial equity tools needs to focus more on creating lasting organizational change, rather than additional frameworks. One practitioner noted, "First-generation tools taught people to think differently. Second generation tools help people operate differently.”
Just as important as the tools themselves were the relationships built around them. Practitioners openly shared successes, challenges, and lessons learned, finding encouragement among peers navigating many of the same complexities. As one practitioner shared, "The goal was to talk about next-generation tools. What I'm leaving with is something even bigger: I experienced the next generation of leaders in racial equity work."
On Saturday, the group attended the Michigan People’s Hearing, a public gathering where community members shared testimonies and community-driven solutions to pressing environmental justice challenges. The People’s Hearing tour aims to strengthen local movements, build new coalitions, and catalyze local and national policy advocacy. Water affordability and access emerged as a central theme, reflecting Michigan’s long history of water injustice - from the Flint water crisis to the ongoing struggles over safe, affordable drinking water in Detroit. Race Forward Chief of Staff and former public servant, Karla Bruce spoke at the hearing about the important role local and regional governments can play in advancing environmental justice by engaging with communities and embedding racial equity into planning, public policy, and decision making. “Saturday’s hearing was everything you all painted it to be - a place for listening and hearing information about how the environment impacts families and communities,” reflected one practitioner. “It’s one thing to read the highlights and another to be present when a woman points out the visible effects of an autoimmune disease she acquired as a result of exposure to toxins in Flint.”
The Region 5 Learning Exchange demonstrates why GARE is investing in a deeper regional organizing strategy. The gathering affirmed that advancing racial equity requires a connected community of practitioners who can collectively refine, test, and sustain this work. Participants left the convening feeling sharpened, energized, hopeful, and inspired - and with stronger relationships, a deeper sense of regional solidarity, and a renewed commitment to transforming institutional power.
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