Cities – with their economic power, diversity, and policy innovation – must lead the nation toward inclusive prosperity. Fortunately, a growing number of cities are creating offices, positions, and passing legislation dedicated to ensuring equity is a core operating principle of local government. While equity can pave the way to prosperity, it requires coordination, partnership, public will, and a policy agenda. Check out the update below for how we are supporting local leaders as they navigate embedding equity in their work.

The Chief Equity Officers Policy Network
We are excited to announce that we have partnered with the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE) to launch a first-of its-kind community of practice to accelerate the work of chief equity officers to embed racial equity into public policy. The Chief Equity Officers Policy Network is an 18-month community of practice for local chief equity officers from across the country. 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. The community of practice will help local governments leverage the leadership of equity officers to advance equitable policies, inform the broader field of practice, and formulate standards for other local government equity initiatives. If you are charged with coordinating, maintaining, and expanding the equity commitments and activities of an entire jurisdiction, we encourage you to click here to apply.

Pittsburgh PASSES Legislation to Officially Become an "All-In City"
As we previously shared, the Pittsburgh Black Elected Officials Coalition (PBEOC) worked closely with our partners at All-In Pittsburgh to introduce legislation that will require the City of Pittsburgh to embed equity and inclusive practices within city departments. Last month, in a unanimous vote, the council passed a legislative package to increase equity across the city. Check out our post on the significance of this legislation, and how Pittsburgh will need to continue to invest in community power, voice, and capacity to truly become "all-in."

ESSENCE - PolicyLink Mayors Roundtable: A Conversation with Taraji P. Henson 
Last month, Essence and the All-In Cities initiative hosted its third virtual roundtable for the ESSENCE-PolicyLink Mayors Roundtable focused on Mental Health Awareness Month. Each May we observe Mental Health Awareness Month to increase awareness to mental illness and to fight the stigma that prevents so many people from accessing the services they need. We were fortunate to be joined by award winning actress Taraji P. Henson who founded the Boris Lawrence Foundation, which is committed to changing the perception of mental illness in the African American community. We had a rich discussion about the need to provide mental health services in schools, the need for more Black mental health providers, and what local leaders can do. Coverage of the discussion can be found here. 
 
In solidarity,
 
Tracey Ross
All-In Cities