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institutional strategies that are creating inequities. GARE’s uses a six-part strategic approach, geared to address all levels of institutional change. Normalize 1. Use a racial equity framework: Jurisdictions must use a racial equity framework that clearly articulates our vision for racial equity and the differences between individual, institutional, and structural racism— as well as implicit and explicit bias. 2. Operate with urgency and accountability: While it is widely believed that change is hard and takes time, we have seen repeatedly that when government prioritizes change and acts with urgency, change is embraced and can occur quickly. The most effective path to accountability comes by creating clear action plans with built-in institutional accountability mechanisms. Collectively, we must create greater urgency and public will to in order to achieve racial equity. Organize 3. Build organizational capacity: Jurisdictions need to be committed to the breadth and depth of institutional transformation so that impacts are sustainable. While the leadership of electeds and top officials is critical, change takes place on the ground, and it is necessary to build infrastructure that creates racial equity experts and teams throughout local and regional government. 4. Partner with other institutions and communities: The work of local and regional government on racial equity is necessary, but not sufficient. To achieve racial equity, local and regional government must work in partnership with communities and other institutions to achieve meaningful results. Operationalize 5. Implement racial equity tools: Racial inequities are not random; they have been created and sustained over time. Inequities will not disappear on their own; tools must be used to change the policies, programs, and practices that perpetuate inequities. Using GARE’s Racial Equity Tool facilitates the integration of racial equity into routine decision-making. 6. Be data-driven: Measurement must take place at two levels—first, to measure the success of specific programmatic and policy changes, and second, to develop baselines, set goals, and measure progress towards goals. Use of data in this manner is necessary for accountability. THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT From the inception of our country, government at the local, regional, state, and federal level has played a role in creating and maintaining racial inequities—including who is considered a citizen, who can vote, who can own property, and where one can live, to name but a few. Though we’ve made many strides toward racial equality, the fact is that policies and practices have still created disparate outcomes, even if the intention to discriminate is not present. Despite progress in addressing explicit discrimination, racial inequities continue to be deep, pervasive, and persistent across the country. Racial inequities exist across all indicators for success—including in education, criminal justice, jobs, housing, public infrastructure, and health, regardless of region. We are at a critical juncture where there is a possible new role for government—to proactively work for racial equity. CSI believes that truly achieving racial equity requires strategic support for implementation of both the external strategies and the internal institutional shifts needed to secure policy adoption. This approach connects the policy and accountability demands of community with the internal reflection and organizational change that government needs to center policy implementation and community decision- making. We work nationwide with local and regional government to develop a strategic vision and actionable goals to advance equity and inclusion. We believe that the transformation of government is essential if we are to disrupt our nation’s deep and pervasive inequality of opportunity and outcome, generate new possibilities for community ownership of government, and establish a new narrative for a truly inclusive democracy. In short, we believe that the transformation of government is essential for us to advance racial equity and is critical to our success as a nation. For more information, contact Julie Nelson, Center for Social Inclusion Senior Vice President and Government Alliance on Race and Equity Director – (206) 816-5104, jnelson@thecsi.org. 2