Bloomington celebrates equity office's transformative year of community programs
The Bloomington City Council heard a presentation on Tuesday about the Office of Racial Equity, Inclusion and Belonging's 2023-2024 accomplishments, which included launching a youth internship program, earning Minnesota's first Welcoming City certification, and expanding the office's responsibilities to handle housing discrimination complaints.
The Office of Racial Equity, Inclusion and Belonging presented its annual report to the city council, highlighting what officials described as a transformative year of initiatives aimed at strengthening community bonds and supporting diverse populations across Bloomington.
Among the office's major achievements was Bloomington becoming Minnesota's first certified Welcoming City, a designation awarded by Welcoming America following a rigorous audit process. The city also participated in the first-ever Public Sector Racial Equity Dividends Index report, scoring high in leadership, budget, public safety, and public policy categories.
The office launched several new programs during the year. The "Bloom and Bloomington" internship program began its inaugural year with 10 young people, partnering with corporate entities including the Mall of America to provide work experience and networking opportunities. The office also expanded its community engagement efforts, organizing a barbecue with the Police Racial Equity Action Team for recruitment and trust-building, celebrating Welcoming Week with neighboring cities including Richfield, Eden Prairie, and Egan, and hosting Mental Health popup events to destigmatize mental health conversations.
Support for immigrants and new residents was a key focus. The office delivered a "driver's license for all" program segment to Spanish-speaking communities and launched a "Welcome to Bloomington" program that provides new residents with welcome gifts and local resource information.
The office also took on new responsibilities this year, including handling housing discrimination complaints and partnering with local agencies to provide resources to affected community members. To support this expanded work, the office welcomed new staff members including an office support specialist, an assistant city manager, and an Equity Inclusion Program Manager. The office also supported diversity and inclusion initiatives in city employment, including a Women's Employee Research Group leadership panel and a partnership with the Bloomington Chamber to recognize National Disability Employment Awareness.
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A report in which Bloomington participated and scored high in several areas related to racial equity.
A program segment delivered to Spanish-speaking communities providing crucial updates on driver's license information.
A prestigious designation achieved by Bloomington, recognizing its commitment to creating an inclusive environment for immigrants, following an extensive audit by Welcoming America.
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Other Topics from This Document
Workforce Development and Youth Internships
Community Engagement and Trust Building
Immigrant and New Resident Support
Diversity and Inclusion in Employment and Leadership
Racial Equity Assessment and Recognition
New Responsibilities and Staffing
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