Mayor Francis Slay Initiates Racial Equity Training for City Employees

ST. LOUIS -- Mayor Francis Slay has invited the Local and Regional Government Alliance on Race & Equity (GARE) to conduct racial equity training for about 100 City department directors, commissioners and managers in City government.

Mayor Slay has directed City departments to evaluate budget requests, policies and practices through the lens of racial equity. GARE training will provide technical assistance to operating departments to achieve those goals.

The GARE technical assistance training comes on the heels of five Racial Equity Learning Exchange Sessions presented by Khatib Waheed in which 250 City employees engaged in guided conversations about racial disparities, implicit bias, and ways to improve services and outcomes for minorities.

The City of St. Louis, under Mayor Slay's direction, is the first in the region to hire field experts to conduct racial equity training and technical assistance for staff.

"The challenges facing our region like racial disparities, poverty, crime, and education, are not new -- nor unique -- to St. Louis," Mayor Slay said. "But here, they are a product of systems, policies, and institutions that have haunted us for decades, having a disproportionate affect on African Americans. Solving these issues will not be easy, and it will take public and private organizations to make lasting change."

"In St. Louis, and in other cities across the country, one's race predicts how well you will do in everything from health, education, jobs, criminal justice, and housing," Julie Nelson, GARE Director, said. "The Government Alliance on Race and Equity recognizes the role that governments everywhere have played in the creation of racial inequities, and that to get to equitable outcomes, government must focus on aligning its actions with racial equity. We are excited to be working with the City ofSt. Louis;we will provide tools and resources so that St. Louis can join a growing movement of cities and counties from across the country that are advancing racial equity."

WHO:            
Mayor Francis Slay
Local and Regional Government Alliance on Race & Equity
Center for Social Inclusion
City Department Directors, Commissioners, Managers

WHEN:          
Monday, October 31, 2016
*Interested members of the media are invited to attend opening remarks beginning at 8:30 a.m.

WHO: 
Second floor conference room
1520 Market Street
St. Louis, MO 63103