Beginning in August 2021 and extending through April 2023, I had the honor of serving on the 30-member citizen Steering Committee for the City of Ann Arbor’s Equitable Engagement Initiative. The Ann Arbor Equitable Engagement Steering Committee was established to advance equity in the city. The Committee’s work centered on developing a shared understanding of what equity entails and identifying the policies, guidelines, and practices necessary for Ann Arbor to become a more inclusive city. This initiative was a collaborative effort involving staff from various city departments, including Communications, Human Resources, Planning, Systems Planning, and the Office of Sustainability and Innovations.

The main output of this initiative is a comprehensive report titled “Achieving Equitable Engagement in Ann Arbor.” This report defines equity as understood by the Committee and offers a set of recommendations to guide the City Council and city staff toward more equitable engagement with Ann Arbor’s diverse communities. These recommendations are accompanied by detailed strategies for implementation, informed by the Committee’s process and the information gathered during their deliberations.

In summary, the work of the Equitable Engagement Steering Committee has been pivotal in laying the foundation for a more inclusive and equitable approach to city governance in Ann Arbor. It provides a roadmap for future actions to enhance equity in city processes and interactions. I look forward to seeing how this work and the final report shape policies and community engagement within Ann Arbor.

Several of us who served on the Equitable Engagement Steering Committee attended the Ann Arbor City Council meeting on Monday, August 22, 2023, where Mayor Christopher Taylor read a proclamation recognizing the work of the Committee.