Welcome to the Office of Equity and Inclusion Dashboard!
There is a lot of talk about equity and inclusion. The purpose of this dashboard is to define equity and inclusion, explain why we’re working through a lens of equity and inclusion, and give an overview of what the Office of Equity and Inclusion does.
Office of Equity and Inclusion Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why do we focus on equity and not equality?
Equality is about sameness and might work if the playing field were truly level but we can look at data, as well as, historic and modern-day policies, and see that that’s not the case. Equity, on the other hand, is about creating conditions where all people can participate, prosper, and thrive in our society. We prioritize racial equity because racism exacerbates all other forms of oppression.
What do we do in the Office of Equity and Inclusion?
In the Office of Equity and Inclusion we work to foster a fair and inclusive culture across city government by providing training, consultation and promoting equitable policies, practices, and procedures.
Special notice from the Office of Equity and Inclusion
Our world has been changed by two pandemics. One being COVID-19 and the other being systemic racism which has gained national attention with the murder of George Floyd and the resulting civil unrest. It is the current impact of systemic racism and social inequities that allows COVID-19 to disproportionately impact Black, Indigenous, People of Color, not only in North Carolina, but across the country. Why is this? Social inequities such as segregation, poverty, and the impact of chronic health outcomes on communities of color has increased vulnerability to COVID-19. As our social consciousness continues to expand, we recognize the need to address racism and social inequities in every one of our institutions. We focus on equity because equity is about process and outcomes. In order to move forward in a way that truly benefits us all, we must recognize the past and present impacts of social inequities on our most impacted communities to work towards a more equitable future.
Equity Today
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City of Asheville launches O.U.R. Asheville – A Community Engagement Leadership Academy
Members of the Asheville community are invited to learn more about the O.U.R. Asheville Academy – a community engagement leadership academy that kicks off this spring.
Applications are open for the first round of 12 trainees, who will be selected as the first group of participants for this ongoing program. The academy is […] -
City Council identifies FY25 priorities at Council Retreat February 22-23, 2024
During the recent Council Retreat on February 22 & 23, 2024, Asheville City Council was able to establish 6 strategic priorities for the next fiscal year. The strategic priorities help guide City Council, City staff, and the City’s annual operating and capital budget and annual work plans.
The 6 priorities for FY2025 are:Neighborhood and Climate Resilience
Equitable, […] -
Community invited to meeting for Malvern Hills Park’s pool on February 21, 2024
UPDATE: 2/19/2024:
Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) Director D. Tyrell McGirt and other City of Asheville staff look forward to meeting with community members during this drop-in format community meeting. This format allows as many Asheville residents as possible to attend.
Off-street parking is located off Harnett Street. APR staff will greet guests at the school’s entrance […] Read More from Equity Today...