All-In Cities: The Equity Movement Is Growing in Cities

Now is an exciting time for the equity movement in Baltimore. This week, Mayor Catherine Pugh signed legislation from the Baltimore City Council to place a measure to create a racial equity fund on the November ballot, as well as sponsored companion legislation to adopt an equity assessment program that will compel agencies to "develop policies, practices, and strategic investments to reverse disparity trends based on race, gender, or income." We are thrilled to launch our new engagement in Baltimore during this movement. Last month, the All-In Cities team visited Baltimore to work with our partners at the Associated Black Charities (ABC), meet with leaders across sectors, and interview a range of decision makers. We will be working to support ABC's emerging coalition focused on supporting economically insecure Black incumbent workers in Baltimore City through strategies that will: help them earn a living wage, remain stably employed, and build wealth. I am happy to share other updates from the past month:

  • All-In Cities Anti-Displacement Policy Network: Our inaugural cohort of the All-In Cities Anti-Displacement Network has been underway for the past few month, and participants are already sharing important developments. The Nashville team has created a website to share the knowledge, strategies, and best practices from this network with the broader Nashville community. It includes their notes from the Learning Labs, as well as other information and resources. Check it out here.
  • Minnesota Public Radio: According to a report from the United Nations, 40 million Americans live in poverty and 18.5 million live in "extreme poverty." What is it like to try to break through the poverty cycle? And, how did the problem become so widespread in America? I joined Minnesota Public Radio for a show dedicated to these findings and "the expense of poverty in America." You can listen here.

Tracey Ross
Associate Director, All-In Cities Initiative