HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning 2022-09-22 Item 3 - Presentation - Equity and Social Justice CommissionEquity and Social Justice Commission (ESJC)
Prepared and presented by ESJC Commissioner Perri Doll, MPS
In collaboration with:
Equity and Social Justice Commission
Niesha Fort-Brooks, Community Engagement Manager 1
Mission
The Commission advises policymakers, advocating and promoting for initiatives
that dismantle systemic racial, gender and economic inequities, to create and
strengthen a sense of belonging for all community members.
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History
●The Commission was founded by the late Joan Hernandez former City of
Tukwila Councilmember.
●In 1989, the Council passed Ordinance 1828, establishing an Equity and
Diversity Commission and setting forth its purpose and scope of duties.
●October 2018 saw the Commission’s name changed to the Equity and Social
Justice Commission.
●The Equity and Social Justice Commission developed a new mission
statement in 2021.
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Purpose (By-Laws)
The objective of the Commission shall be: Tukwila Municipal Code 2.29.010
●To promote understanding that accepts, celebrates and appreciates diversity within the
community.
●To serve as a resource for the community by providing information and educational
forums that will facilitate a better understanding and awareness of social justice and
human rights.
○Ex: Annual Juneteenth Commemoration
●To provide recommendations to the Mayor and City Council regarding opportunities to
increase equity and social justice awareness and promote social justice programs.
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Equity Definition
Resolution 1921 Equity Policy, December 2017
Equity Definition: Eliminating systemic barriers and providing fair access to
programs, services and opportunities to achieve social, civic and economic justice
within the City of Tukwila.
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Goals of Equity Policy
1. Our City workforce reflects our community.
2. Community outreach and engagement is relevant, intentional, inclusive,
consistent and ongoing.
3. All residents and visitors receive equitable delivery of City services.
4. City government is committed to equity in the decision-making process.
5. Equity serves as a core value for all long-term plans moving forward.
6. The City will build capacity around equity within City government and the
broader community
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Opportunities for Collaboration
Recommendations:
●Translation into top-3 languages besides English (Vietnamese, Spanish and
Somali)
●Closed captions for deaf and hard-of-hearing community
●Participation in equity training led by the city
City-Wide Planning (examples are, but are not limited to…):
●Comprehensive Plan
●Economic Development Plan
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ESJC Meetings
●First Thursday of every month at 5:30pm
●Meetings are held at the City of Tukwila Justice Center:
○15005 Tukwila International Boulevard, Tukwila, WA 98168
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When you seek feedback from the ESJC
●City-wide departments, boards, and commissions are encouraged to bring
policies, programs, or services to the ESJC
●Be prepared with the data - do your homework and bring it to us
●Be specific about desired feedback
●Keep an open mind - the ESJC’s mission is to ensure that there are equitable
outcomes for everyone
●Refer to the City’s Equity Policy, Resolution 1921
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