Racial Equity

by Empower Dc,

11 April, 2024

Expose, reverse and repair harm done to Black and brown communities due to institutionalized racism

While racial equity is embedded in all of Empower DC’s efforts to advance the voices and visions of directly impacted low/moderate-income Black and brown residents, we are also involved in shaping policies that explicitly advance racial equity analysis within government functions.

Our Work & Impact 

Racial Equity in Planning & Zoning 

Empower DC led the DC Grassroots Planning Coalition from 2017-2021, winning new requirements in the DC Comprehensive Plan that DC planning and zoning employ a “racial equity lens.” Our work to ensure meaningful implementation of the new standards continues.

Check out the Office of Zoning’s Racial Equity Impact Assessment (REIA) tool now in use, after much advocacy by Empower DC and our partners. 

Hear from experts in the field about implementation of racial equity analysis within planning, zoning and development

Meaningful Community Engagement

You can’t have an equitable outcome without an equitable process – yet DC has no minimum standards for community engagement, and often solicits input after decisions are baked, conducting only surface-level engagement that does not significantly impact outcomes. We are developing resident-driven policy proposals to define and require meaningful community engagement standards within government decision-making processes and to address disparity across DC’s Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (ANCs).

Learn about the Office of Racial Equity and the DC Council Office of Racial Equity, created by the 2021 passage of the Racial Equity Achieves Results Act (REACH Act)

 

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