Today representatives with the National League of Cities (NLC) Race, Equity and Leadership (REAL) initiative held their second day of technical assistance training in Wichita with city staff and community members. Wichita is one of six cities participating in a Cities for Racial Equity and Racial Healing Technical Assistance Initiative. The 15-month program will provide city leaders with the strategies they need to advance racial equity and racial healing in their communities.
"City leaders have the capacity to create lasting change in their communities by advancing racial equity," said Clarence E. Anthony, CEO and executive director of the NLC.
The technical assistance initiative will help city leaders identify the impacts of institutional racism within their community's policies and practices, and take action to address it. Each city will receive tailored coaching to build relationships with communities most impacted by racial inequity, create structures that intentionally address structural racism and normalize the dialogue of governing for racial equity.
"Launching the National Municipal Learning Community for Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation last fall was an important step in identifying cities that are well-positioned to make progress," said Leon Andrews, director of the NLC Race, Equity Leadership Initiative. "We look forward to working alongside these six cities as they take meaningful steps to advance racial healing and address institutional and structural racism."
City of Wichita staff began work with NLC REAL staff to review programs and initiatives currently ongoing in Wichita to address racial equity. Staff and community members engaged in an all-day workshop centered on the historical ways in which racial inequity began and how city government and community can work together toward racial healing and reconciliation through dialogues, trainings and other activities.
This program is made possible with the generous support of the W. K. Kellogg Foundation and its Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation initiative.
