Racial Equity and Inclusion

The city continues to work to create a more just and inclusive community for all. In order to do so, the city is working to:

  • Create pipelines and opportunities for communities of color and indigenous people to be part of city leadership roles.
  • Invest in small business and services owned by people of color and indigenous people.
  • Expand racial equity as an ongoing discussion within all areas of city business.
  • Build awareness and a learning environment where consequences and unintentional impact of our work and decisions are addressed.

Work with advancing racial equity is a journey that will continue as part of the city's regular business and service delivery. The city council is also working with the human rights commission, multicultural advisory committee and other groups on ideas and direction for continued outreach in advancement of racial equity.

City of St. Louis Park Racial Equity Statement

If the practices, programs, services and culture of the city are not fair, inclusive and equitable to all, the potential of the community and those it serves is diminished. From an elected, appointed and staffing perspective, our organization does not mirror the community we serve. We will strive for racial equity by building understanding of the issues in our organization and intentionally and proactively take measures that break down barriers to a just and inclusive community.

Racial equity and inclusion division responsibilities

The city’s racial equity and inclusion division operates with urgency and accountability to be a leader in racial equity and inclusion in order to create a just and inclusive community for all.

It is responsible for:

  • Developing and implementing a strategic plan that assists departments in creating goals to address the citywide priority for advancing race, equity and inclusion.
  • Providing leadership and direction to support measures that break down barriers in creating a more just and inclusive community for all.
  • Serving as a coach and providing professional development opportunities that build capacity for ongoing work in race, equity and inclusion.
  • Serving as a citywide consultant on racial equity matters.
  • Supporting the internal Racial Equity Employee Leaders (REEL) team and employee resource groups (ERGs).

History of racial equity and inclusion efforts

In 2016, a team of St. Louis Park City Council members and city staff participated in a year-long program on advancing racial equity. This program was facilitated by the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) along with the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE) Center for Social Inclusion (CSI), and provided an introduction to the roles, responsibilities and opportunities for government to advance racial equity.

The city participated with the following goals in mind:

  • Gain understanding of racial equity.
  • Develop a shared racial equity analysis including definitions.
  • Analyze policies and practices from a racial equity perspective.
  • Strategize with others on how government can advance racial equity.

Contact Us

Phone

952.924.2602

Email

rei@stlouisparkmn.gov
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