by Laura Sweeney

Focusing on ways to promote racial equality and build more inclusive communities, cities and towns throughout the United States are taking part in the 7th annual Race Equality and Inclusive Communities Week, Sept. 25-29.

Sponsored by NLC, the special week will be observed by cities from Phoenix to Bartow, Fla., as they reaffirm their commitment to fostering inclusiveness by working to eliminate racism and discrimination through a broad range of activities. Special events include discussion forums and diversity luncheons, as well as resource and information fairs.

?The strength and health of any community often relies on the quality of the relationships its citizens have with one another,? said NLC President James Hunt, councilmember, Clarksburg, W.Va. ?Creating racial and ethnic equality is one part of the larger goal to build communities that welcome all people. As municipal leaders, it is our duty to make sure every citizen ? regardless of race, gender, physical ability, age or economic status ? feels they are valued and can participate fully as a member of the community.?

As Congress prepares to adjourn for the election season, NLC Executive Director Donald J. Borut said issues of inclusiveness and harmony are particularly important.

?While polarizing political debates continue to divide groups, it is more important than ever for local governments to step up and find ways for their citizens to connect with one another,? Borut said. ?A community is only as good as its most disenfranchised citizen and as we face the tough issues ahead of us, the only viable solutions will be those in which all community members have a say.?

Originally called Race Equality Week, the celebration grew from an effort launched in 2000 to challenge city leaders to focus on improving race relations in their communities. Today, Race Equality and Inclusive Communities Week is part of NLC?s larger Partnership for Working Toward Inclusive Communities. The partnership, which currently boasts 95 members, aims to raise awareness and focus attention on the importance and value of inclusive communities.

Some cities combined the two initiatives. Others are focusing on an individual initiative. For instance, the city council in Baltimore passed a resolution on Aug. 14 joining the inclusive communities partnership and designated Sept. 25-29 as Inclusive Communities Week.

Celebration Activities
The following cities have or will be taking part in activities in honor of Race Equality and Inclusive Communities Week.

? Fayetteville, N.C., will sponsor a series of week-long events through the Fayetteville-Cumberland Human Relations Commission. Its recognition of Race Equality and Inclusive Communities Week includes public displays at the Downtown Headquarters Library, City Hall and other local agencies; youth group discussions and a panel discussion.

? The Bartow Community Relations Committee will hold a Diversity Luncheon on Sept. 27, at the Bartow Civic Center, with guest speaker Dr. E. Nathan Thomas III, director of diversity for the University of South Florida.

? In State College, Pa., seven community organizations have teamed up in an effort to welcome new residents to Centre County. The Community Resources Fair will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sept. 27 at the State College Municipal Building. More than 30 local groups will participate, allowing new residents to learn more about the diverse range of organizations and resources available in the Centre Region, including cultural, community and health care resources.

? Phoenix offered ?Practical Racism in the Workplace: My Way or the Highway,? a free public forum on Sept. 20, at Phoenix College?s Dome Auditorium. Hosted by the Phoenix Human Relations Commission, Arizona State University, Maricopa County Community College District, Phoenix College, Maricopa County Diversity Office and the City of Phoenix Equal Opportunity Department, participants discussed the subtle racism that exists in the culture of organizations through standards of dress, behavior, speech and style.

? Nashville, Tenn., will celebrate the week with two unique events. The Safe Schools Summit will be held on Sept. 26, and will engage 300 Nashville public school students as partners in their efforts to provide safe, secure and nurturing learning environments. On Sept. 27, the Davidson Group will host a reception for approximately 400 of its members, who are paired by ethnic and cultural differences and meet throughout the year to raise the level of awareness and appreciation for both their differences and similarities.

? Moscow, Idaho, has scheduled a multitude of events to help celebrate Race Equality and Inclusive Communities Week with its citizens. Activities include a theatrical production about multicultural life, forums discussing relevant legislation, a soul food potluck dinner, diversity training opportunities and ?Building Bridges with our Latino Community? events during the regularly scheduled Farmer?s Market. The city partnered with many community groups, including the University of Idaho; the Latah County Human Rights Task Force; the Center for Health, Education and Economic Resources Inc.; and African Free Inc. and others to present the activities.

? Farmington Hills, Mich., celebrated its own race and culture inclusiveness week through its Heritage Festival, a week-long event that takes place every September. This year, it was held Sept. 17-22. The festival includes events for all ages, such as a World Music and Fashion Show, a new citizen swearing-in ceremony, a mini conference with a multicultural/multiracial theme and a festival day that features continuous multicultural entertainment, food, displays and children?s activities with free admission. This event is thrown by the city?s Multicultural/Multiracial Community Council.

Details: For more information on Race Equality and Inclusive Communities Week or the Partnership for Working Toward Inclusive Communities, contact Christopher Hoene at hoene@nlc.org or Bruce Calvin at calvin@nlc.org.

Inclusive Communities Partnership Nears 100 Cities

The list of cities and towns that have joined the Partnership for Working Toward Inclusive Communities is growing.

As of today, 95 cities have passed inclusiveness resolutions and submitted them to NLC. Each municipality that joins can receive a large metal sign to be erected in the city. The sign reads, ?Welcome. We are building an inclusive community.?

NLC President James Hunt, councilmember, Clarksburg, W.Va., launched the partnership in February to encourage and highlight municipal efforts to promote equal opportunity and fairness and to promote citizen participation and engagement. He urged municipal officials to help their communities, ?get beyond the problem of ?us? versus ?them?? and to embrace ?the power of ?we.??

Details: Information on how to join the partnership is available at www.nlc.org.