Executive Director’s Message

Executive Director’s Message

by Carolyn Coleman

Bold Approaches and New Ideas to Solve Old Problems

Iam humbled and honored to be leading the League at this leaders who are, to borrow from Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs, defining moment in the nation’s history. Cities and city “challenging the status quo with bold approaches and new ideas leaders face unparalleled hurdles — an unrelenting global to solve old problems.” pandemic, devastating wildfires, heat waves, power outages, and pandemic-induced budget shortfalls that are jeopardizing The League’s mission includes not only advocating for the core city services — all of this while deafening cries for equity and common interests of cities, but also helping city leaders lead on justice ring out from the challenging issues their communities face by providing education streets of our nation. and resources that focus on promising strategies and In response, cities have been leading the way, acting This special issue of Western City new solutions. Just as the League pivoted to help city quickly to protect their leaders navigate through residents from the virus, supporting those affected highlights efforts to disrupt systemic the pandemic, wildfires, and power shutoffs, we are by stay-at-home orders also pivoting to support and business closures, and inequities in city institutions and leaders as they take action providing assistance to to advance equity in their struggling businesses and families who have fallen behind on rent or mortgage policies and replace them with communities. This special issue of payments. They are also taking concrete actions to systems that are inclusive and fair. Western City highlights efforts to disrupt systemic evaluate, reimagine, and inequities in city institureform our institutions to tions and policies and ensure local government replace them with systems systems are equitable and just. that are inclusive and fair. “Advancing Racial Equity in Local Government,” which starts on As a Black woman, issues of race, equity, and justice are deeply page 7, provides an introduction to the National League of Cities’ personal for me and have been part of a recurring narrative Race, Equity, And Leadership (REAL) initiative and shares four of systemic inequity for a majority of my life. These issues are proven city strategies to help city leaders lead in addressing racial fueling the many diverse voices calling for change that we hear inequity in their communities. loudly today. It is inspiring to stand alongside California’s local continued

left to right Salinas residents participate in a visioning workshop, Long Beach volunteers plant trees to beautify a neighborhood, and South San Francisco families attend a city planning event.

This special issue also profiles several California cities that are including Chula Vista, Oakland, and Stockton, to participate driving meaningful and deliberate change within their cities to in the City Budgeting for Equity and Recovery program, a new ensure equitable access to city services. In 2017, the City of Long effort that will help cities confront budget crises while strengthBeach created an Office of Equity dedicated to improving equity, ening their commitment to equity in the wake of COVID-19. community health, and safety for those most underserved in its communities (see page 12). In July 2020, the City of South As city leaders take the lead to root out systemic inequities in San Francisco launched the Mayor’s Commission on Racial and their communities, the League will support their efforts with Social Equity to explore how new tools and resources that best to deliver improved services in mental health, As city leaders take the lead to root out will include access to experts, technical assistance, articles, education, policing, policies and practices, and social systemic inequities in their communities, peer networking opportunities, and educational sessions services (see page 15). And at League convenings. For the City of Salinas developed a community-driven plan the League will support their efforts with those who missed the League’s August webinar, Advancing to better serve people living in a neighborhood that was new tools and resources that will include Racial Equity: An Introduction, you can find a recording underserved and neglected for decades (see page 18). access to experts, technical assistance, of it on the League website. If you happened to miss one The Alisal Vibrancy Plan is the result of years of vision- articles, peer networking opportunities, and of several sessions on race and equity featured at the League’s ing, community organizing, 2020 Annual Conference & and relationship building between the city and Alisal educational sessions at League convenings. Expo in October, not to worry — those who registered for the residents, and focuses on conference have access to all of improving outreach to the community and removing barriers the recorded sessions until April 6, 2021. Visit www.cacities.org/ that these residents often faced when interacting with city advancingequity to find the links. government. The plan was officially unveiled in early 2020. This is only the beginning. We truly hope you enjoy this special These stories represent only a handful of examples of city issue. In the coming months, the League looks forward to helpleadership in advancing equity in their communities. California ing empower and equip local officials with tools to address and cities are also embedding equity in their budgeting processes. heal inequities in their communities. ■ Bloomberg Philanthropies recently selected 30 cities nationwide,