GIFC: Our Interview with Mayor Clark; cities addressing racial disparities

Our interview with Mayor Breea Clark, Norman, OK​

As a peer-to-peer learning network for mayors across the country, the Mayors Innovation Project is here to provide you with up to date resources from experts and perspectives from your peers. Read our interview with Mayor Breea Clark, Norman, OK to hear how she is managing in this time of crisis and what lessons she would offer to other mayors.

My greatest lesson about cooperation from this pandemic situation: be willing and open to collaborate and work with partners, but sometimes you just have to go first.

– Mayor Breea Clark, Norman, OK​

 

From our City Response Feed: COVID-19 and Racial Disparities

People of color are disproportionally bearing the brunt of the pandemic, both in terms of its economic impacts and health outcomes. Some cities are working to actively address these disparities in their coronavirus responses.

Mayor Kenney, Philadelphia, PA, improved the city’s outreach/education and moved test sites to African American and Latino neighborhoods. To address structural racism in Chicago, IL, Mayor Lightfoot announced a Racial Equity Rapid Response team, which is partnering with three anchor community organizations to address education, prevention, testing/treatment, and supportive services. Mayor Bronin, Hartford, CT, announced free transportation to drive-through testing sites, as many low-income residents don’t own motor vehicles.

This moment also serves as a long-term opportunity for mayors to address racial inequities across all government services. The Government Alliance on Race & Equity is a national network of governments working to achieve racial equity and advance opportunities for all. If your city is not already engaged in their network, we encourage you to do so.

Live City Response Feed

Our live city response feed provides you with a curated list from around the country, making it quick and easy to access the most relevant ideas for city leaders. Submit your own innovative policies here. To see the city responses so far:

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