PHILADELPHIA – This week, the National League of Cities (NLC) Race, Equity and Leadership (REAL) initiative announced that Philadelphia will join 14 other cities in its inaugural National Municipal Learning Community for Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation. The 18-month program will provide city leaders with an opportunity to learn from their peers and national experts, and gain a comprehensive understanding of how they can implement and strengthen efforts to advance racial equity.
“When we created REAL two years ago, our goal was to take action to help city leaders eliminate racial disparities, heal racial tension and build more equitable communities,” said National League of Cities (NLC) CEO and Executive Director Clarence E. Anthony. “I am proud to announce these 15 cities, who are committed to undoing racism in their communities and taking action to build a just and equitable future.”
“The City’s Office of Diversity & Inclusion is excited to participate in NLC’s inaugural National Municipal Learning Community cohort,” said Nefertiri Sickout, Deputy Diversity and Inclusion Officer for the city. “The Kenney administration’s sustained commitment to advancing equitable policies and programs is reflected in its focus on increasing the diversity of the City’s workforce to reflect the citizenry of Philadelphia, reducing disparities in our criminal justice system, as well as promoting equitable access to high quality Pre-K. With NLC’s strategic support and resources, we will continue to pursue policies that create and deliver equitable access, opportunity and outcomes for all Philadelphians.”
Each city has assembled a diverse team that includes both elected officials and city staff to develop community practices, engage regional cities in advancing racial equity, and build leadership to support their city’s capacity to undertake broad structural change.
The 15 cities participating in the program are:
- Philadelphia, Penn.
- Gadsden, Ala.
- Long Beach, Calif.
- Stockton, Calif.
- Gary, Ind.
- Wichita, Kan.
- Louisville, Ky.
- Boston, Mass.
- St. Louis Park, Minn.
- St. Paul, Minn.
- Charlotte, N.C.
- Rochester, N.Y.
- Pittsburgh, Penn.
- State College, Penn.
- Tacoma, Wash.
“Across the country, we have seen issues that continue to spark racial unrest in communities, both small and large, and cause our country to repeatedly stare into the face of our scarred past,” said Leon Andrews, director of the REAL initiative at NLC. “The launching of this national learning community shows a willingness by a diverse range of cities to be bold and courageous in doing what is necessary to call out and reconcile these injustices.”
This program is being made possible with the support of the W. K. Kellogg Foundation and its Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation initiative.
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About the National League of Cities (NLC):
The National League of Cities (NLC) is dedicated to helping city leaders build better communities. NLC is a resource and advocate for 19,000 cities, towns and villages, representing more than 218 million Americans.