Mayors’ compact to advance racial equity in cities in measurable and sustainable ways
Washington, D.C. – This week, the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) and the African American Mayors Association (AAMA) announced that 143 mayors—Democrats, Republicans and Independents—have pledged to advance racial equity in their cities by signing the Mayors’ Compact on Racial Equity.
With their signatures on the compact, an initiative of USCM and AAMA, the mayors commit to doing their part to close racial equity gaps faced by communities of color, by making local government and its programs more inclusive and better directed toward achieving a more equitable future for all residents.
“The front lines of the battle for racial justice are in our cities and it’s there that victories must emerge,” said U.S. Conference of Mayors Trustee and Austin Mayor Steve Adler. “With this Compact on Racial Equality, mayors are not only recognizing the urgency of this fight but are committing to take concrete steps and being held accountable for specific action in their communities to advance racial justice.”
“It is important to have the conversation on race—as uncomfortable as it may be sometimes. It is in all our interests to take steps to reduce inequities in housing, education, the environment and economy. Every city can do something,” said U.S. Conference of Mayors Trustee and President of the African American Mayors Association Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner.
For decades, America’s mayors, through USCM, have taken strong positions in support of civil rights and in opposition to racism and discrimination in all its forms. More recently, in 2013, the Conference established the U.S. Coalition of Cities Against Racism and Discrimination and more than 100 mayors pledged to implement a 10-point plan. In 2017, more than 325 mayors signed a Mayors’ Compact to Combat Hate, Extremism and Bigotry, a 10-point pledge to work toward inclusive and compassionate cities drafted by the Conference in conjunction with the Anti-Defamation League.
A copy of the compact with the signatories listed is available here.