Advancing Equity
The League of California Cities doesn't just advocate for the common interest of cities. It also helps city officials lead on challenging issues their communities face by providing education and resources that focus on promising strategies and new solutions. In June 2020, the Cal Cities Board of Directors issued a statement committing to the creation of an equitable and just future for all Californians. Cal Cities is dedicated to supporting its members by connecting them to resources and educational opportunities that strengthen their knowledge and capacity to eliminate racial disparities, heal racial divisions, and build more equitable communities. Below, is a list of foundational resources, which will grow as we deepen our knowledge and breadth in this space.
Advancing Equity Community
We are excited to announce the Cal Cities Advancing Equity Community where members can connect with one another to share information and resources. The new tool enables city officials to post information, give feedback, share resources, and interact with other city leaders on diversity, equity, and inclusion within cities. This community is open to all Cal Cities members. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Meghan McKelvey. Sign up now >
Equity Roadmap
Resources for Cities
2026 Equity Related Conference Sessions:
- City Leaders Summit
- April 23, 2026: What California Cities are Doing to Support Homeless Veterans
- April 23, 2026: Building Family-Friendly Cities: Child Care as Critical Infrastructure
- April 23, 2026: Local Government and Immigration Enforcement: Policy, Practice, and Community Impact
- City Managers
- Feb. 11, 2026: Keynote: Protecting the Vulnerable: A Conversation on Policing for City Managers
- Feb. 12, 2026: From the Ground Up: Women City Managers on How They Got to the Top
- Feb. 13, 2026: Women Leading Government Roundtable
- Public Works Officers Institute
- Feb. 26, 2026: Women in Public Works Roundtable
- Past equity-related Annual Conference Sessions
- United Against Hate (October 18-24, 2026)
Free to watch
- Advancing Racial Equity: An Introduction - Cal Cities and the National League of Cities REAL Department set the stage for the work necessary to expand city leaders' knowledge and capacity to eliminate racial disparities, heal racial divisions, and build more equitable communities. Cal Cities webinar originally offered Aug. 27, 2020.
- Advancing Racial Equity: A Discussion - Cities across the nation are grappling with frustration, outrage, and grief stemming from the effects of systemic racism. Join leadership from the National League of Cities REAL Department and three California city leaders for a discussion on how they are building more equitable and just cities. Keynote panel discussion originally offered at the League of California Cities Annual Conference and Expo on Oct. 8, 2020.
Learn from other cities in Western City's magazine
Western City magazine highlights efforts to address systemic inequities in city institutions and policies and replace them with systems that are inclusive and fair. Western City Articles can be found here.
- NLC REAL: The National League of Cities (NLC) Race, Equity, and Leadership (REAL) program was established in the wake of the 2014 unrest in Ferguson, Missouri, to strengthen the capacity to build more equitable communities. The REAL department offers tools and resources that help local elected leaders build safe places where people from all racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds thrive socially, economically, academically, and physically. Please refer to the following reading list:
- Municipal Action Guide: Advancing Racial Equity in Your City compiles six immediate steps for improving outcomes for all residents.
- Municipal Action Guide: Responding to Racial Tension in Your City provides important contextual and tactical information to support your municipality’s efforts to respond effectively.
- Repository of City Racial Equity Policies and Decision includes examples of concrete policy and budgetary changes local elected officials have made to prioritize racial equity in their cities and towns.
- Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE) Public resources include:
- Resource Guides
- Toolkits
- Issue Papers
- Public Program Recordings
- Communications
- https://www.racialequityalliance.org/resources/gare-resources
- Racial Equity Resolution provides a template and talking points that explain why pursuing equity is good for local government.
- The City Leader’s Compass to the My Brother’s Keeper Landscape offers resources for city leaders working to respond to the My Brother’s Keeper Community Challenge. This publication highlights a comprehensive set of steps cities can take to tackle disparities, change systems, and improve outcomes for boys and young men of color.
- GARE: The Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE) is a national network of government working to achieve racial equity and advance opportunities for all. GARE supports jurisdictions that are at the forefront of work to achieve racial equity; develops a “pathway for entry” into racial equity work for new jurisdictions; and builds local and regional collaborations that are inclusive and focused on achieving racial equity.
- Race Forward: Race Forward brings systemic analysis and an innovative approach to complex race issues to help people take effective action toward racial equity. The organization conducts original research on pressing racial justice issues ranging from immigration to economic inequality.
- ICMA Race, Equity, and Social Justice: Materials curated by the International City Managers Association (ICMA), along with reports and surveys that describe approaches that have an impact and provide the opportunity to learn from the experiences of others.
- Mayors and Business Leaders Center for Compassionate and Equitable Cities: Resources, including ideas, initiatives, toolkits, and reports, by mayors and for mayors and other city leaders.
15 California cities receive perfect score on 2020 Municipal Equality Index
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The Human Rights Campaign, in partnership with the Equality Federation Institute, released its 2020 Municipal Equality Index (MEI), reflecting the largest number of top-scoring cities on the nationwide assessment of LGBTQ inclusion in municipal law, policy, and services. The 2020 MEI includes 15 California cities that received a maximum score of 100: Berkeley, Cathedral City, Chula Vista, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Oakland, Oceanside, Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, Riverside, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Monica, and West Hollywood.
Three California cities increased their score from the 2019 Municipal Equality Index. Berkeley and Cathedral City previously scored 96 and Riverside had the biggest jump moving up from 91 in 2019.
“I am inspired by all the people in the city who worked to reach a score of 100,” said Riverside Council Member Erin Edwards. “A year ago, department heads, my office, and the city manager’s office met to analyze our 2019 score. Everyone around the table agreed that we needed to actively strive for the best possible results for LGBTQ equity in 2020, and we did! We celebrate reaching 100 in 2020, and we know that we still have areas for growth. The city remains committed to this work in the years to come.”
The Municipal Equality Index examines how inclusive municipal laws, policies, and services are of LGBTQ people who live and work there. Cities were rated on the following criteria:
- Non-discrimination laws: is discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity prohibited by the city, county, or state in areas of employment, housing, and public accommodation.
- Municipality as an employer: does the city offer equivalent benefits and protections to LGBTQ employees, award contracts to fair-minded businesses, and take steps to ensure an inclusive workplace.
- Municipal services: does the city work to ensure LGBTQ constituents are included in city services and programs.
- Law enforcement: is there responsible reporting of hate crimes and engagement with the LGBTQ community in a thoughtful and respectful way.
- City leadership's public position on equality: is the city leadership committed to fully include the LGBTQ community and to advocate for full equality.
“Receiving the Human Rights Campaign’s highest recognition confirms our city’s commitment to equality,” said Cathedral City Mayor John Aguilar. “Throughout our history, Cathedral City has been a safe haven for the LGBTQ community to live, work, and visit and that is why my husband and I call it home.”
The 2020 MEI reflects the largest number of top-scoring U.S. municipalities in its nine-year history. There were 94 U.S. cities that received a maximum score of 100 points, 15 of which are in California.
“Long Beach is proud to be recognized for our commitment to diversity and inclusion for the LGBTQ community,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “This community is, and always will be, a place where everyone, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, can live, work, love, and thrive.”
The Human Rights Campaign is the largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Americans. The Equality Federation Institute is the movement builder and strategic partner to state-based organizations advancing equality for LGBTQ people in the communities across the country.
The Cal Cities #LocalWorks initiative shines the spotlight on examples of local actions that are making a difference to their communities. Show how #LocalWorks in your community by contacting communications@calcities.org.
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