Summer 2023

From the President

We are social creatures. It's one of the reasons the pandemic lockdown was so difficult for many. As we emerge on the other side, many of us are looking at our communities from a social perspective and wondering … are we inclusive enough and is this a place where people feel welcomed?

Cities throughout Washington are striving to be welcoming communities for people who differ from one another (diversity), to provide an even playing field for everyone to thrive (equity), to reach out and invite others to visit and take part (inclusion), and to be places where people feel they really fit in (belonging).

Belonging is the newest addition to the equation. As famous Washingtonian Kurt Cobain once sang more than 30 years ago now, “come as you are.” Creating a sense of belonging means that people can show up as themselves wherever they are—and we welcome them. It's the sense that no matter our differences, everyone should be encouraged to be their authentic selves, and the community celebrates that.

From the perspective of running a city, increasing our diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) efforts takes constant work and attention. Over my last year as AWC president, I've taken part in many of these conversations with colleagues, staff, and experts who reiterate that these efforts need to come from the top. As city leaders, it's up to you to lead with a purposeful DEIB vision that prioritizes cohesive communities and helps mend divisions. It needs to be at the forefront of our work—we must lead by example.

City leaders are innovators. It's just who we are. Join me in looking closely at every city program, partnership, and initiative to ask questions about the DEIB practices in your city or town. This newly relaunched Cityvision digital edition is full of stories and ideas for you to gain inspiration from other cities that are paving the way.

This is my last Cityvision as president of AWC. It has been my absolute honor to serve alongside you this past year and I couldn't have done it without this wonderful city family. Thank you for everything.

Sincerely,

Rob Putaansuu
Mayor, Port Orchard

President, AWC

How to get started in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB)
Across Washington state, cities and towns are intentionally and strategically making diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) a priority. While there is no perfect formula for getting started, we can learn a lot from those already on this journey and what's working for them. AWC's new DEIB consultant Benita Horn shares how. More

Play equity: In making municipal parks accessible for all, Vancouver creates a sense of community belonging
Laughter fills the air in recently reopened Esther Short Park, where history is being made in one of Washington's oldest public squares. Throughout the Victorian playground theme, the City of Vancouver has committed to a future where play spaces are accessible to everyone. Learn about how the City of Vancouver is building innovative partnerships to actively and sustainably address inclusivity in its parks. More

Equity innovation: Renton's longstanding culture of inclusion takes its cues directly from the top
Renton is one of the fifteen most diverse cities in Washington, and has been a clear leader in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging for more than a decade. If there's one truth among all cities, however, it's that DEIB policies are only becoming more important as our populations become more diverse. Renton is making bold moves, reorganizing city departments to address DEIB from the top, and at the root. More

Mayor Victoria Woodards on DEIB in Tacoma and beyond
Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards (she/her) talks about the holistic benefits of DEIB + Diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, plus collaboration. More

Ellensburg uses innovative partnership to engage their community in DEIB
When Ellensburg's DEI Commission considered how to approach building community, they chose a model that allowed people to build one-on-one relationships and share their stories. They created a safe, welcoming environment to create enriching conversations about belonging. More

Generation next: Tieton fosters a sense of belonging by focusing DEIB efforts on the rural community's youth
Tieton has experienced something of a rebirth as a destination for artists, hobby farmers, and urban refugees, thanks largely to the entrepreneurial spirit of newcomers. Still, the city has unique challenges when it comes to fostering a sense of inclusion and belonging. By focusing on the next generation, the winds of change seem to be blowing in Tieton's favor. More

What's in a name? Olympia rededicates its signature municipal park
In December 2021, the Squaxin Island Tribal Council passed a resolution asking Olympia to rename Priest Point Park as Squaxin Park. Olympia's Council approved the renaming four months later. On Indigenous Peoples' Day last October, the two councils—with hundreds of residents and tribal members and busloads of schoolchildren—gathered in Squaxin Park for a formal rededication. More

Equity—On the move! New transportation equity study released
In 2020, at the request of the Association of Washington Cities (AWC), the Washington State Legislature commissioned a study of transportation equity in Washington's cities and towns. Recognizing the inequitable distribution of transportation investments across the state, both currently and historically, AWC sought to investigate the impacts that these choices have on our city populations and provide a resource to cities for generating more equitable outcomes for users of the statewide transportation system. More

Initiative possible: Kirkland finds innovative ways to give residents a voice in charting a DEIB roadmap
In 2022, Money magazine ranked Kirkland as the third best place to live in the U.S., behind Atlanta, Georgia, and Tempe, Arizona. To make sure all residents have a voice in local government as the city's demographics shift, Kirkland is working to recruit diverse voices into city government—accommodating diverse needs and considering everything from direct compensation for attendance to free childcare. More

Equity through opportunity: Tacoma's equity mapping tool helps inform decision-making
Learn more about Tacoma's equity mapping tool through this high-level overview. The tool—designed to identify racial disparities, increase transparency and accountability, and support data-driven decision-making at all levels—can be used to help plan anything from levels of investment to community engagement. It represents a significant leadership investment in a resource that other cities can replicate to begin addressing inequities that have long plagued our collective systems. More