With the state foreshadowing some belt-tightening, things
could get worse before they get better. Now more than ever, we
need to keep fighting to ensure that the cities have the
resources they need to help our most vulnerable residents.
Federal and state governments are funding environmental justice
programs at record levels. For some cities, this raises an
important question: What is environmental justice? The answer may
look different for each city, but the processes are often
similar.
Mountain View created the Spanish and Chinese Language Civic
Leadership Academy programs as part of its commitment to
diversity and inclusion. The eight-week programs
improve participants’ understanding of local government and
city services. Some graduates have even applied for boards and
commissions or ran for city council.
Once a nearly all-white community, Lakewood has become one of
California’s most diverse cities. When the murder of George Floyd
made national news in 2020, the resulting public outrage shook
the bedroom community and led to calls for change. The resulting
10-point action plan and first year of implementation are major
milestones for the city.
Like many communities, Redwood City was caught off balance
in 2020. The resulting two years of work underscore the long-term
commitment needed to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion
goals.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives often stall out due
to a lack of personnel, resources, or formal policies. Diversity
management is one way that leaders can champion these principles
and make meaningful change.
