Earlier this summer, in partnership with the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE), we announced the creation of the Chief Equity Officers Policy Network, a first-of its-kind community of practice to accelerate the work of chief equity officers. Check out the update below for the latest news on the network, and other ways we are supporting local leaders in advancing equity.

The Chief Equity Officers Policy Network
The Chief Equity Officers Policy Network, our newest community of practice, was designed with and for chief equity officers to support them in becoming transformational leaders. The network will build an intensive learning community that targets population-level outcomes and shares strategies that lead to policy reforms that expand opportunity for low-income communities and people of color. We are excited to announce that we have built a diverse cohort of leaders from across the country with a range of experiences and expertise:

• Kimberlee Archie, Asheville, NC
• Karla Bruce, Fairfax County, VA
• Zan Gibbs, San Antonio, TX
• Ashford Hughes, Nashville, TN
• Majestic Lane, Pittsburgh, PA
• Joy Marsh Stephens, Minneapolis, MN
• Michelle Melendez, Albuquerque, NM
• Candace Moore, Chicago, IL
• Brion Oaks, Austin, TX
• Diane Powers, Tacoma, WA
• Matias Valenzuela, King County, WA
• Kellie Watson, Louisville, KY

We were overwhelmed and heartened by the many applications we received. Because we were not able to accept everyone we wanted to, we are identifying ways we can support the growing field of equity leaders in local government. Please stay tuned for announcements on webinars, policy briefs, and other ways we will be sharing the valuable lessons that will emerge from the conversations and activities of this network.

Prosperity Now Webinar: The Promise and Perils of Opportunity Zones
Thursday, Sep 12, 2019
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET / 10:00 - 11:00 AM PT
Enacted as part of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Opportunity Zones were created to attract private investment into economically distressed communities, but many questions remain. Will Opportunity Zones serve to subsidize investments that were already planned? Or will the program truly benefit low-income communities that have suffered neglect for decades? Join, Prosperity Now, members of the Asset Building Policy Network, PolicyLink, and others for a webinar discussion on the intended mechanics behind Opportunity Zones, how the administration and states have approached the implementation of this program so far, and what advocates at all levels can do to ensure that these programs are effective in building up low-income communities. Register here.

In Case You Missed It!
This summer we released All-In Cities: Building an Equitable Cities Movement, a progress report on the initiative to-date, which describes our approach to this work, our impact thus far, and lays out a vision for the future. We hope you all see this as an invitation to work together in new ways as we continue to grow the initiative.
 
In Solidarity,
 
Tracey Ross
All-In Cities