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
Cal Cities is dedicated to supporting city leaders 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. The Cal Cities Equity Roadmap lays out the organization’s planned actions and strategies to support city leaders in advancing equity in their communities. Read more
Resources for Cities
Cal Cities Learning Opportunities
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.
Other Resources
- 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.
League of California Cities Launches Advancing Equity Advisory Committee to Support Cities in Efforts to Root out Systemic Racism
During today’s League of California Cities Board of Directors meeting, Cal Cities President and El Centro Mayor Cheryl Viegas Walker announced members of the Cal Cities Advancing Equity Advisory Committee that is charged with developing recommendations for the organization’s future work supporting city efforts to advance equity in their communities.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kayla Woods
Cell: (530) 844-1744, kwoods@calcities.org
Sacramento ― During today’s League of California Cities Board of Directors meeting, Cal Cities President and El Centro Mayor Cheryl Viegas Walker announced members of the Cal Cities Advancing Equity Advisory Committee that is charged with developing recommendations for the organization’s future work supporting city efforts to advance equity in their communities.
“Cities are making concerted efforts to address inequities in their communities and I am honored to be spearheading this initiative to ensure cities have the right tools to be successful,” said President Viegas Walker. “The committee’s goal is to identify how cities can recognize and eliminate disparities, heal racial divisions, and build more equitable communities.”
The Advancing Equity Advisory Committee, with the support of staff from Cal Cities and the National League of Cities Race, Equity and Leadership Program, will develop a set of recommended actions and resources for consideration by the board of directors later this year.
“I’m proud to be the leader of such a dynamic organization that is prioritizing the support of local efforts to build more equitable communities,” said Cal Cities Executive Director and CEO Carolyn Coleman.
Today’s announcement furthers the commitment the Cal Cities board made in a June 2020 statement to “create an equitable and just future for all Californians.” President Viegas Walker has appointed 25 individuals to the committee, who represent a diverse group of city leaders who are endeavoring to root out discrimination and racism in their communities. Cal Cities Immediate Past President and Yountville Mayor John F. Dunbar, and Cal Cities Board Member and Temecula Director of Legislative Affairs and City Clerk Randi Johl will serve as the committee’s co-chairs.
“It is so important for all of us to take action, not only in our communities and at our dinner tables, but in our conference rooms and our city halls,” said Johl. “I am eager to listen, learn, and do the work so that California cities will have a reliable pathway to build more equitable and just institutions.”
The Advancing Equity Advisory Committee will undertake an informative and developmental process to identify a set of recommended actions and resources to support cities in their efforts to reevaluate operations and services through an equity lens, and reform areas where longstanding racial biases and inequities exist.
“Not all cities are in the same place when it comes to addressing systemic racism and bias in our communities,” said Mayor Dunbar. “A big part of the committee’s work will be ensuring that tools are available for all city leaders to reevaluate, reimagine, and reform their institutions to ensure their systems are equitable and just.”
In addition to forming the Advancing Equity Advisory Committee, Cal Cities provided training and resources throughout 2020 to support city leaders’ efforts. A special issue of Western City magazine in November 2020 highlights efforts to disrupt systemic inequities in city institutions and policies and replace them with systems that are inclusive and fair. The publication profiles several California cities that are driving meaningful and deliberate change within their cities to ensure equitable access to city services. Cal Cities also featured a series of webinars and conference sessions on race and equity at the 2020 Annual Conference & Expo and other events throughout the year. For those links and more resources, visit www.calcities.org/advancing-equity.
Advancing Equity Advisory Committee Members:
- Co-Chair John F. Dunbar, Mayor, Yountville
- Co-Chair Randi Johl, Director of Legislative Affairs/City Clerk, Temecula
- Walt Allen, Council Member, Covina
- Jan Arbuckle, Council Member, Grass Valley
- Denise Athas, Council Member, Novato
- Aimee Barnes, Diversity and Equity Manager, Sacramento
- Eric Casher, City Attorney, Pinole
- Ross Chun, Mayor, Aliso Viejo
- Denise Diaz, Council Member, South Gate
- Karen Diemer, City Manager, Arcata
- Debra Garnes, Mayor, Rio Dell
- Jacqui Guzman, Deputy City Manager, Sunnyvale
- George N. Harris II, Director of Finance, Lancaster
- Jenny Haruyama, City Manager, Tracy
- Lindsey Horvath, Mayor, West Hollywood
- Jesse Loren, Council Member, Winters
- Consuelo Martinez, Council Member, Escondido
- Lisa Middleton, Council Member, Palm Springs
- Stephanie Nguyen, Council Member, Elk Grove
- Wade Nomura, Mayor, Carpinteria
- Gabe Quinto, Council Member, El Cerrito
- Steve Rogers, Town Manager, Yountville
- Cindy Silva, Council Member, Walnut Creek
- Esmerelda Soria, Council Member, Fresno
- Dan Wright, Council Member, Stockton
Established in 1898, the League of California Cities is a nonprofit statewide association that advocates for cities with the state and federal governments and provides education and training services to elected and appointed city officials.
Leave a comment