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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAdvancing Racial Equity the Role of Government – Iowa Friday, April 7, 2017 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Sheraton Iowa City Hotel Equity and inclusion are values of critical importance across Iowa. Many current inequities are sustained by legacies, structures, and systems that repeat patterns of exclusion. Consider how schools are funded and the relationship between racial and economic segregation in housing. These historically-based systems and structures perpetuate resource and opportunity gaps that ultimately show up as achievement gaps. Clearly, we have not achieved a “post-racial” society, and although there is a strong relationship between race and class, simply talking about class is not enough. Defining and addressing racial inequities while maintaining a class-conscious awareness will maximize positive impacts on both race and income inequities. Local and regional governmental bodies have the ability to implement policy change at multiple levels and across multiple sectors that can drive larger systemic change in jobs, housing, health, education, and the criminal justice system. This all-day conference that focuses on racial equity is a must for government staff, elected officials, educators, and anyone who cares about creating positive change. The conference will be led by the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE) a national network of government working to achieve racial equity and advance opportunities for all. GARE is a joint project of the Center for Social Inclusion and the Haas Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Society. Register at https://advancingracialequity-ia.eventbrite.com. Early Bird registration is $30 per person. After March 24, registration increases to $45. A limited number of scholarships, full or partial, to fund attendance for persons with financial need are available. Registration ends March 31. There will be no onsite or walk-in registration. If you are employed by the City of Iowa City or the City of Dubuque email Stefanie- Bowers@iowa-city.org to register for the conference. Conference Objectives Increase understanding of racial equity and why it matters. Gain a common understanding of racial equity, explicit and implicit bias, and individual, institutional and structural racism. Introduce new skills, including use of a racial equity tool, inclusive outreach and engagement, and communicating about race and equity. Presenters include Julie Nelson, Executive Director for the Government Alliance on Race and Equity and a Senior Fellow with the Haas Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Society at the University of California, Berkeley. http://www.racialequityalliance.org/. Jesse Villalobos, Coordinator of Policy and Advocacy for the Center for Social Inclusion. Jesse’s former roles include leading regional policy and programmatic efforts at the National Conference for Community and Justice and heading social justice initiatives at The New School. https://www.centerforsocialinclusion.org/. Dr. Raintry Salk, Research Analyst for the Metropolitan Council in St. Paul, Minnesota. Dr. Salk’s most recent research focused on park use among selected communities of color. The Metropolitan Council conducted over 20 focus groups with people of color to explore underlying barriers and issues that produced disparate impacts. The recommendations that were gleaned from the sessions were qualitatively analyzed and used to inform policy development. https://metrocouncil.org/. Erin Stenson, Employee Development and Organizational Effectiveness Manager and Melissa Gombar, Employee Development and Organizational Effectiveness Specialist, both with the City of Madison, Wisconsin. The City of Madison’s Human Resources Department has worked over the past three years to incorporate racial equity and social justice into its operations. https://www.cityofmadison.com/mayor/priorities/racialequity.cfm. Kelly Larson, Human Rights Director for the City of Dubuque, Iowa. The City of Dubuque is a member organization in the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE). Kelly has served as Human Rights Director in Dubuque since 1999, shifting the department from one focused solely on case investigations to one that strives to develop shared responsibility throughout the organization and the community for advancing equity and inclusion. http://www.cityofdubuque.org/215/Human-Rights. Katrina Farren-Eller, Coordinator for Inclusive Dubuque, a network of partners furthering equity and inclusion in Dubuque. The network supports equity education opportunities, creates and shares equity tools, and provides baseline data and information to help inform decisions and measure progress. http://inclusivedbq.org/. For further information on the conference contact stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org. Additional conference information can be found on the registration site at https://advancingracialequity- ia.eventbrite.com. Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity of the City of Iowa City, should contact ADA Coordinator/Assistant to the City Manager, in the Office of the City Manager, 410 E. Washington Street, Iowa City, Iowa, 319-356-5010 (email: ADAcoordinator@iowa-city.org) as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours before the scheduled event. Lead-sponsors are the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE), the City of Iowa City and the City of Dubuque. Co-sponsors are City of Coralville, City of North Liberty, Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque/Inclusive Dubuque, Johnson County, and the University of Iowa Center for Human Rights.