The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) works with City departments, external partners, and community members to dismantle institutional and structural barriers that have held back many Philadelphia residents for too long. The office reinforces the Kenney Administration’s commitment to creating a more equitable Philadelphia, where race, ethnicity, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, income, or neighborhood are not a determinant of success. An equitable Philadelphia is one where all thrive. It requires City government’s policies, services, and distribution of resources to account for the distinct histories, challenges, and needs of different communities it serves.

To achieve these goals, DEI focuses on several core priorities:

• Building a workforce—at all levels—that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve and a workplace culture that values inclusion and racial equity as both a process and outcome.
• Advancing a shared framework to embed racial equity as a governing principle in the City’s budgeting, community engagement, service delivery, and significant strategic initiatives.
• Promoting equitable procurement, contracting, and entrepreneurship outcomes so that every person and every business has the chance to grow successfully—including supporting commerce in neighborhoods that have been harmed by unequal lending practices.
• Working collaboratively with City departments, community partners, and other institutions to understand institutional racism, eliminate racial inequity, and improve outcomes for all, while paying closer attention to communities who are worse off.

DEI includes and works closely with:

• Office of LGBT Affairs
• Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities