by Dallas Morning News, by Everton Bailey Jr., https://www.dallasnews.com/
Beginning next week, Dallas officials will host five community meetings, one of which will be held at City Hall, to solicit feedback from locals on the city’s intentions to discontinue initiatives and regulations that specifically support diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The events will take place at the West Dallas Multipurpose Center on September 9 after starting on August 26 at the Latino Cultural Center near Deep Ellum. There will be more activities in South Dallas and downtown in late August and early September.
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Kimberly Bizor Tolbert, the city manager of Dallas, declared earlier this month that she will be ordering all municipal departments to cease using programs and policies that take into account national origin, gender, color, ethnicity, or religion when determining how to distribute funds or benefits in June.
We’re examining obstacles and keeping an eye out for ways to make it possible for everyone in our city to prosper, regardless of where they reside or what ZIP code they’re in, Tolbert stated. We are aware that this body of work and that particular work must go on.
In order to adhere to recent anti-DEI guidelines from the administration of President Donald Trump, the city is halting these activities. Officials in Dallas express optimism that this ruling will enable the city to retain millions of dollars in federal grant funds. Despite the president’s orders, a group of community leaders urged municipal authorities last Monday to reiterate their commitment to enhancing racial equity for citizens in response to the move.
According to a city flier advertising the events, “We value the voices of community members whose partnership has shaped the city’s equity and inclusion work over the years.” In order for all Dallas citizens to prosper, our realigned efforts will keep funding neighborhoods and increasing opportunities.
Dallas has gotten $305 million a year on average over the last three years. These contributions support a range of initiatives, including as transportation, justice support, housing and economic development projects, and nutrition programs for women, infants, and children.
A legal examination is being conducted of all city DEI policies and programs. Some might be redesigned. For instance, a program can concentrate on helping small businesses in Dallas rather than firms run by women and people of color.
In order to address racial and ethnic imbalances that harm Dallas residents, the city has halted its racial equity plan, which was authorized by the City Council in 2022. A business inclusion and development policy that helped women-owned and people-of-color-owned enterprises get city contracts was also terminated by the city. A new office of housing and community empowerment will be created by combining the city’s equality and inclusion office with three other departments.
Other suggested recommendations to keep the city in federal compliance will be heard by the City Council on September 24.
According to city officials, Trump’s executive orders forbid federal contract or grant recipients from funding diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, but they do not compel communities to discontinue equity-focused initiatives.
Here are further specifics on the local events:
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Aug. 26 at 4 p.m.
Center for Latino Culture
Live Oak Street, 2600.
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Aug. 27 at 6 p.m.
First Floor of the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library
1515 Young Street.
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Sept. 4 at 6 p.m.
City Hall in Dallas, L1FN Auditorium
Marilla Street, 1500.
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Sept. 6 at 10:30 a.m.
Community Center for Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, 2922.
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Sept. 9 at 6 p.m.
Multipurpose Center in West Dallas
Fish Trap Road, 2828
Edward Bailey Jr.
The city government of Dallas is covered by Everton. He has previously worked for The Oregonian and The Associated Press in Hartford, Connecticut, before joining The Dallas Morning News in November 2020.
The Dallas Morning News and Texas Metro News have partnered to reprint this story, which was first published in The Dallas Morning News. The collaboration aims to increase coverage of communities of color in Dallas, especially in the city’s southern region.
