Year in Review 2022

Advancing Equity and Caring for Mayors

Recognizing that mayors across the country are grappling with a myriad of intersectional challenges, we pivoted to content aimed at leadership development and mayors’ mental health. This kicked off with an in-person, mayors-only session on mayors’ mental health at the 2022 Winter Meeting led by Dr. Annice Fisher.

In partnership with Oklahoma State University, Equity Agenda, and the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University, in May 2022 we released the results of a national survey of mayors which showed a marked increase in political violence, particularly aimed at women mayors and mayors of color.

To shine a light on this alarming trend, we debuted May 2022 as #MayorsSafety Month, hosting virtual trainings prioritizing the physical security and mental and emotional wellness of mayors and city staff.

Throughout 2022 we continued to provide a space for safe dialogue and resources to advance the leadership of women mayors through our Women Mayors Network (WMN).

The WMN hosted U.S. Representative Marilyn Strickland at our convening in Tacoma, engaged in timely discussions with members from the White House Intergovernmental Affairs Office, and hosted an interactive fall session providing space for sharing and healing from daily experiences of racism, sexism, and heterosexism.

Providing Insight on Local Policy Innovation

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Our ongoing partnership with the AIA’s Blueprint for Better campaign supported three cities – Eastpointe, MI, Clarksville, TN, and Blacksburg, VA – in their work to rehabilitate buildings for public use and benefit. See a summary of the project!

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In 2022 we continued our water affordability program in partnership with The Water Center at Penn, offering technical assistance and peer networking through our national Community of Practice to mayors and water utility leaders focused on supporting affordable, efficient, resilient, and equitable water systems.

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Our Healthy Babies Initiative, in partnership with Healthy Babies Bright Futures, continued to support city-led efforts to improve infant and maternal health and reduce health disparities in 2022. The initiative supported cities in projects aimed at improving access to healthy local food, reducing the use of toxic materials in childcare settings, increasing funding and resources for healthy homes, and bolstering sustainable procurement.

In 2022 we concluded our five-year project with the Legacy Alliance for Community Health, working with 18 communities in Wisconsin to implement Health in All Policies (HiAP) projects.

This work, in partnership with the Population Health Institute at UW-Madison, resulted in a number of replicable local models for HiAP in small and mid-size communities, many of which are referenced in our 2022 brief Meeting the Health Equity Imperative.

We hosted several webinars in 2022 designed to help mayors and city staff learn about innovative local practices, including creating productive relationships between the mayor and council and city-led efforts to protect reproductive rights.

Supporting and Advancing Our Network

In 2022, over 160 mayors and senior officials from cities across the country joined us at our virtual and in-person events. Our 2022 Winter Policy Meeting hosted timely discussions about federal funding, policing reform efforts, and efforts to support minority owned businesses as part of local economic recovery strategy.

Mayor Victoria Woodards, in member city Tacoma, WA, hosted the Summer 2022 Annual Meeting in August. Attendees learned about how cities can advance and integrate equity into city decision making, partner with anchor institutions to create mutually beneficial outcomes, and pursue zoning reform to advance housing diversity. Meeting highlights included Mayor Michael Tubbs’ keynote address and the spectacular tour and reception at Point Defiance Park.