The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic and racial justice movements recently revealed these deep inequities in our society and economy across the United States, North Carolina, and locally in Wake County.
Initiated by the Raleigh Chamber, a collection of leaders from a diverse cross-section of organizations met with the desire to address racism and dismantle any systems that negatively impact Black and Brown residents. Participating leaders believe that this renewed energy for change is more than a moment, but rather a movement. This moment launched an awareness and rallying initiative called A Better Wake. This ongoing initiative asks community members and organizations to support of our collective commitment to dismantle systemic racism. Please join the movement at abetterwake.com.
To move the work forward strategically, partners built on longstanding efforts in the community to create a Blueprint for how local government, education, private sector, faith-based and nonprofit organizations can actively work in tandem to dismantle systemic racism in Wake County. The Blueprint’s central focus is on near-term actions that can lead to changing the current reality of Black and Brown residents who are disproportionately experiencing negative impacts across the county.
The Office of DEI is contributing to these efforts with the launching of the Division of Race Equity. In partnership with local leaders and anchor institutions, the Division seeks to build an accountability roadmap to support the implementation of more than 40 goals and 150 near-term action items that organizations can take to address systemic racism.
Watch a few of the snippets of the Town Halls below: