The city of Edina seeks to build racial equity in order to advance the principles set forth in the city’s 2015 Vision statement, which provides: “Edina holds a well-earned reputation as a city of choice. It is the model of a successful mature and progressive urban community, that strives to lead in a modern and evolving world. Our shared values and attractiveness afford residents the highest quality of life while actively embracing the future.”
Racial injustice has occurred nationally for centuries and has made deep impacts on communities, schools, cities and structures. Edina is making racial equity a goal and will actively evolve their city systems, structures, resources, policies and practices to reflect this commitment. In doing so, they will make Edina a community that embraces all people.
The City of Edina will create an atmosphere in which discussing their differences and shared values such as a desire for good public education, housing, transportation, and safe neighborhoods bring them closer together.
First, they need to acknowledge and commit to racial equity being important work that the city values. Next, they will begin to look at their City and services from every angle to determine what areas they do well in promoting racial equity and where they may create or perpetuate racial injustice. Once they evaluate their systems, policy and structures, they will need to create a cultural shift, dedicating themselves to racial equity in everything they do.
Edina recently created a City Race and Equity Task Force comprised of community members, human rights city commissioners, GARE team members (who have and will be attending these meetings) and city employees. This group is tasked with taking steps to improve racial equity in their city. The Task Force is diverse in talent, training and racial backgrounds—their journeys, experiences and perspectives differ, but they will be working towards the same goal.
Edina is a strong community and is invested in its people. They are confident this Task Force will deliver a positive outcome of which their City can be proud.
And, they have a talented city staff and a strong network of resident volunteers (members of boards and commissions and non-profit organizations) who can help carry out the work.
It takes a village. Improving racial equity will be a journey. Everyone has a stake in the outcome because they are advancing the core values embraced by residents and reflected in their Vision statement – becoming / being a city of choice which is successful and a leader in the region, and has a strong sense of community and provides a high quality of life. It will take a culture change within their communities to see the best results—everyone needs to be included.
Watch the video below to learn more about why Edina committed to joining GARE.
Edina is participating in the 2017 Minnesota Advancing Racial Equity introductory cohort.