City formalizes vision of racially equitable future
This summer, the Sammamish City Council unanimously voted to adopt a vision statement that will guide how it addresses racial inequity. This statement is dubbed the Racial Equity Commitment and Vision (RECV). The RECV comes two years after the City created a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) program.
While the RECV focuses on racial equity, it will also be used to tackle inequity of any kind in the future.
“Focusing on racial equity provides the opportunity to introduce a framework, tools, and resources that can be applied to other areas of marginalization,” the City wrote in a news post.
The RECV defines what racial equity would look like in Sammamish.
Among other things, the RECV describes a government that budgets for DEIB goals and a workplace where City staff feels empowered to achieve them. In terms of community engagement, the RECV describes a government that asks traditionally marginalized groups for input.
“Not unlike a comprehensive plan that guides a city’s growth over time, the Racial Equity Commitment and Vision is meant to guide our work around Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging,” said Angie Millar, the city’s communications manager, in an email to the Sammamish Independent. “It is purposefully meant to be aspirational.”
Next, the City will set goals aligned with the RECV in annual work plans. According to Millar, these may include reviewing hiring practices, assessing city policy, and creating an outreach guide. The City will also use the RECV to build a racial equity toolkit.
“While our vision is ambitious, setting and working toward achievable goals annually will enable us to continuously advance in uplifting and empowering everyone,” Millar said.
