Julián Castro opened the panel, reflecting on his time as mayor of San Antonio, TX and HUD Secretary, and the creative initiatives local leaders across the country championed to expand opportunity:

“I had the opportunity to travel to 100 different communities in 39 states and was absolutely amazed by what I saw in terms of how cities are leading the way in being more inclusive, ensuring that we empower communities that are vulnerable that have traditionally been left out.” – Secretary Julián Castro

In response to a question on reimagining the role of politicians, Councilmember Andrea Jenkins of Minneapolis read an original poem about Blackness being represented in her city and meeting President Obama: “Black days don’t happen very often in City Hall/ Sometimes not at all/ But as the President says, it’s easy to be cynical, but hope is better. Stay hopeful.”

Councilmember Helen Gym of Philadelphia remarked, “I never thought about politics as starting with politicians. I’ve always thought about politics as starting with everyone in this room.”

“As a black transgender woman, lifting up the issues, the voices, the concerns of black trans people – I haven’t seen very many politicians do that… Naming the issues, really being focused on helping to improve the lives of the most marginalized people in our communities, that is a new way to govern.” – Councilmember Andrea Jenkins

The panel also had a robust conversation about centering the voices of people of color and the need to address race head on. Mekaelia Davis explained the significance of data as a tool that can help leaders be intentional in addressing race, “When you think about any problem that you’re trying to solve, you have to name the problem,” she explained.” If anybody’s trying to get out of debt, the first thing they try to do is understand how much debt they’re in.” Tanya Wallace-Gobern added, “the theory of racial justice is a lot easier to accept than the reality of racial justice, and I think that that’s where a lot of the tension comes in.”

Mayor Landrieu discussed his office’s work patterned after the racial reconciliation commissions in South Africa. “We decided to have a quiet conversation with loudspeakers on it,” he explained. This led to Equity New Orleans, a strategy outlining how local government can advance equity through its operations and decision-making.

“We’re here to change the rules. We’re here to show people that when we organize and make change in the streets, that it’s not that different from when we take office.” – Councilmember Helen Gym

The Equity Summit surfaced important concerns and ideas from our partners that we want to explore throughout the remainder of the year. We are committed to continuing to build a space where local leaders can have access to network, exchange ideas, and build a movement for racial economic inclusion and equitable growth in all cities.

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