Schedule of Events

We’ll unpack pressing topics so that you have the tools and know-how to empower your staff and community.

Day 1, Thursday, July 25

TIME (All times are ET)	EVENT
11:00am – 11:10am	Welcome
11:10am – 12:00pm General Session	Opening Keynote Honor Your Journey, Transition with Grace Join this session to learn how DEI leaders have transformed their organizations into an inclusive environment for the #nextgen. Panelists will share their stories regarding their personal and organization transition. Learning Objectives: How to transform your organization with a realistic project plan.  Understanding personal journeys and their impact. Recruitment practices for success. Panelists: TBD   Moderator: Victoria Hodge, Leadership Connect
12:00pm – 12:15pm	Break
12:15pm – 1:15pm	Equity Issues and Center for Democracy Innovation Better Public Meetings Project - We have to stop meeting like this! This session is not just a presentation; it's a conversation. It’s an opportunity to question, to reflect, and to contribute to the ongoing dialogue about making public meetings a space for true community collaboration. Join us for an enlightening journey through the intricacies of community engagement as we dive into a year-long study that sheds light on the engagement strategies of three distinct communities: Boulder, Colorado's city council, Fayetteville, North Carolina's Community Police Advisory Board and Fayetteville Next Commission, and Mesa, Arizona's Governing School Board.  Discover the challenges and triumphs in striving for more equitable and inclusive public meetings. What does it truly take to foster an environment where every voice is heard and valued? We'll explore the common issues that arise in the pursuit of equity and inclusion, the reactions of community stakeholders, and the shared strategies that have emerged to address these pivotal concerns. Learning Objectives: How to transform your organization with a realistic project plan. Understanding personal journeys and their impact. Recruitment practices for success. Speaker: Benita Duran, Senior Director, Equity & Civic Engagement, Centerr for Democracy Innovation, National Civic League
12:15pm – 1:15pm	TBD Moderator: Laura Goddeeris, AICP, Director, Research and Domestic Technical Assistance Programs, ICMA Bailey Barnett, Senior Program Manager, Research and Domestic Technical Assistance Programs, ICMA
1:15pm – 1:30pm	Break
1:30pm – 2:30pm	Using AI to Promote Equity: Opportunities, Challenges, and Risks for Local Government The presentation will address how local governments can use AI to promote greater equity, and the opportunities, challenges, and risks involved with doing so. The presentation will begin with a brief primer on AI and demystify some of the hype around the technology. We will share key opportunities for AI in local government and highlight AI risks that are pertinent to equity concerns, like inaccuracy and algorithmic bias.we will explain high-risk and lower-risk, and share emerging best practices for AI governance in the public sector, focusing on San Jose’s own AI governance program and the work of the newly formed GovAI Coalition. Learning Objectives: Gain a realistic understanding of the capabilities and limitations of AI tools Understand the potential opportunities AI offers local governments Understand the risks involved with using AI to address equity issues Build their toolkit for thinking about AI governance and risk mitigation Learn about common use cases for AI in local government Speaker: Leila Doty, Privacy & AI Analyst, City of San José, California
1:30pm – 2:30pm	Chasing the Gold Standard: Promising Strategies for Organizational DEI Success The current DEI movement has roots dating back to the 1960’s, and continues to be an evolving struggle for change. Since the Civil Rights Movement, change-makers have strived to integrate and sustain equity into the fabric of our systems and society. Like many local government agencies, Wake County is on a similar journey to create meaningful change and standardize best practices for DEI implementation. This session will highlight Wake County’s DEI journey to create lasting organizational DEI impact through the use of implementation science principles. From inception to strategy implementation, this session will offer practitioners strategies to amplify that DEI is not a “feel” – it is a “field.” Learning Objectives: Build fluency on the tenets of implementation science; Learn sustainable strategies for organization- wide DEI implementation; and Co-define what it means to be a “gold standard” for DEI implementation. Speakers: QuiAnne’ Holmes, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Consultant, County of Wake, North Carolina Molly Marcotte, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Consultant, County of Wake, North Carolina Danya Perry, Director, Office of DEI, County of Wake, North Carolina
2:30pm – 2:45pm	Break
2:45pm – 3:45pm	Advancing Equity in Public Works and Parks & Rec This will be a facilitated discussion between City of Des Moines' Chief Equity Officer, Public Works Director (PWD) and Parks & Recreation Director (PRD). PWD and PRD will each highlight their own unique ways of advancing equity within their what's "typically" a blue-collar workforce and what's "traditionally" seen as one of the core municipal services. Both PWD and PRD will also share the importance of leadership commitment and continuous normalizing of equity as a core and the backbone of all of our work. This presentation will bring perspectives from those that typically are not seen as the champions of equity but have been supporting the equity office in Des Moines for nearly seven years by helping normalize, organize, operationalize and visualize equity. Learning Objectives: How leadership and intentional efforts of advancing equity in offices that are typically not seen as the drivers of equity practices impacts the long-term vision for equity. Tools and techniques leaders in public works and parks and recreation departments utilize to continue to not only advance equity but actively eliminate existing inequities. Speakers: Jonathan Gano, Director of Public Works, City of Des Moines, Iowa Ben Page, Director of Park and Recreation, City of Des Moines, Iowa Manisha Paudel, Chief Equity Officer, City of Des Moines, Iowa
2:45pm – 3:45pm	Utilizing the Arts to Build a Just, Multiracial Democracy: An Overview of the Cultural Week of Action on Race and Democracy The arts can reveal the truth of our past and present, bridge divides, and allow us to see what is not yet realized in the world. In concert, government practitioners embedded in arts and culture offices and those who incorporate the arts within program and service delivery are connectors and catalysts sparking critical conversations and creatively driving systemic change to build systems for a more just an equitable future. The arts are an essential, but underutilized, tool that can bring together our fractured communities in surprising and innovative ways. Because of this Race Forward has partnered with Americans for the Arts on the launch of the Cultural Week of Action on Race and Democracy. Together with local arts and culture institutions and government offices of arts and culture, the Cultural Week of Action will feature events that spark conversations focused on history, how it shapes our present, and how everyday people are organizing to build an equitable and racially just future. The goal of the events is to inspire action that community members can take together to create a truly, just, multiracial democracy—starting in their own neighborhoods. In this interactive session, Janine Christiano, GARE Director of Strategic Partnerships and Cultural Week of Action Committee Member, will give a brief overview of the impact of arts in the United States, lead participants in an art engagement designed for government racial equity practitioners, and highlight projects, organizations, and artists across the country that are utilizing the arts to promote democracy, racial equity, and coming together. Learning Objectives: Utilize art strategies to spark conversations in their community for collective action. Provide concrete examples of creative engagements around challenging subjects. Ideas for how city and county managers can engage in the Cultural Week of Action. Speaker: Janine Christiano, GARE Director of Strategic Partnerships, Race Forward GARE (Government Alliance on Race and Equity)
2:45pm – 3:45pm	Lead with Heart and Mind: Embracing Inclusive Leadership In today's world, where remote work and life demands go hand in hand, leaders play a crucial role in creating an environment where everyone feels trusted, valued, and safe. This session is tailored for leaders, managers, and decision-makers who want to grow and practice inclusive leadership. We'll dive into the importance of understanding our natural tendency to gravitate toward what's familiar and avoid differences. Learn how intentionally embracing differences can lead to a more inclusive workplace. This hands-on session will uncover the secrets to becoming an inclusive leader, a vital skill for building a thriving organization in our ever-changing professional landscape. We'll also discuss how one can become an anticipatory leader, developing the ability to anticipate the future rather than to react. In the world of leadership, titles may provide authority, but it is the heart and compassion of a leader that truly influence and inspire. Learning Objectives: Identify strategies to become a more inclusive leader. Develop the capacity to help others recognize their personal biases and assumptions, which can hinder inclusion, fairness, and overall performance. Gain confidence in using language, adopting mental frameworks, and honing cultural competency to facilitate constructive conversations that leverage diverse perspectives and backgrounds, fostering innovation in your Workplace. Speaker: Jonah Ssenyange, Founder and CEO, Nthusa Consulting Group
3:45pm – 4:00pm	Break
4:00pm – 5:00pm	A Playbook for Increasing Engagement through Community-Based Organizations Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) have long been a critical element in fostering equitable and inclusive community engagement in our communities. Research conducted by PublicInput shows that residents are more likely to engage when approached through groups they affiliate with, highlighting the importance of partnering with CBOs to build trust and increase engagement, especially among underrepresented communities. However, local governments often struggle to effectively manage these relationships, hindering their reach and risking eroding trust. This educational session offers a practical playbook for cities and counties to develop and manage partnerships with CBOs, emphasizing the role of these organizations as drivers of engagement and providing tools to promote equity and inclusion. In this engaging session, speakers will discuss: The benefits of partnering with CBOs + Strategies for finding, recruiting, and retaining community leaders affiliated with CBOs to amplify voices and ensure representation. Methods for measuring the impact of CBO partnerships on engagement efforts, with a focus on reaching underrepresented communities and assessing equity outcomes. Practical tools and approaches for centralizing and managing relationships with CBOs to promote transparency, accountability, and community empowerment. Learning Objectives: Understand strategies for finding, recruiting, and retaining community leaders affiliated with CBOs to broaden engagement reach and ensure representation. Learn methods for assessing the impact of CBO partnerships on overall engagement efforts, with a focus on equity and inclusion metrics. Explore practical tools and approaches for centralizing and managing relationships with CBOs, reducing dependence on institutional knowledge and fostering transparency and collaboration. Speaker: Graham Stone, Co-founder and VP of Government Relationships, PublicInput Angela Tyler, Communications Specialist, County of Buncombe, North Carolina
4:00pm – 5:00pm	Fostering Health Equity in Urban Policy: Richmond’s HiAP Strategy This session will examine how Richmond, California, emerged as a leader by adopting a Health in All Policies (HiAP) ordinance and strategy in April 2014. This approach integrates health and social equity into city policy making decisions and program implementation, establishing Richmond as a model for future-oriented, equitable urban development. Join our diverse panel, featuring key figures from Richmond’s City Government, County Health Department, and a University Partnership, as they share insights from over a decade of HiAP implementation. Attendees will understand deeply how this strategy serves as a blueprint for cities to embed health equity into their governance, ensuring sustainable and inclusive urban environments. Learning Objectives: Identify tools and strategies for integrating health and equity considerations into municipal policies and programs to benefit all community segments, especially vulnerable groups. Create methodologies for creating and implementing health equity policies within local government frameworks in collaboration with community based organizations and residents. Speakers: Gabino Arredondo, Executive Director, Richmond Housing Authority, City of Richmond, California Jason Corburn, Professor & Director, Center for Global Healthy Cities, UC Berkeley, California Shannon J. Ladner-Beasley, Contra Costa Health Equity Manager, Office of the Director, Contra Costa Health Services

Day 2, Friday, July 26

TIME (All times are ET)	EVENT
11:00am – 11:10am	Welcome
11:10am – 12:00pm Keynote General Session	Joshua V. Barr, Esq., Chief Strategist and President, Raising the Barr, LLC
12:00pm – 12:15pm	Break
12:15pm – 1:15pm	From Resolution to Resolve: Building Organizational Capacity to Implement Racial Equity Action Plans Presenters will share their experiences and lessons learned as they turned adopted resolutions into a Racial Equity Awareness & Action Plan. The presentation will include strategies for senior leadership engagement and buy-in, staff capacity building and practices that ensure department- specific opportunities to cultivate racial equity analysis and action plans. Learning Objectives: Capture strategies to engage senior leadership Describe practical ways to build staff’s understanding and capacity around implementing racial equity practices and procedures Speakers: Tanisha Briley, City Manager, City of Gaithersburg, Maryland Hazel Monae, Racial Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Manager, City of Gaithersburg, Maryland
12:15pm – 1:15pm CAO Track	Institutionalizing Equity and Belonging in Local Government with the Power of Data Discover practical strategies to embed racial equity in local government through the power of data. Drawing from Boulder's Equity Data Initiative, attendees will gain insights into: Crafting data-focused racial equity plans, conducting departmental equity assessments, and employing job aids for data-driven decision-making. Explore the effectiveness of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs measured through surveys and feedback. Dive into assessing institutional practices to foster practical application of racial equity principles within departments. Explore the concept of decolonizing data, emphasizing community involvement in data collection, analysis, and ownership to enhance equity outcomes and foster a sense of belonging. This session will inspire participants to leverage data as a tool for transformative change, fostering environments of inclusivity and equity within governmental institutions. Learning Objectives: Learn to build resources to guide data usage in equity practice Learn to use data to evaluate the effectiveness of your programs Understand the concept of data decolonization Speaker: Ana Silvia Avendano-Curiel, Equity Policy Advisor, City of Boulder, Colorado
1:15pm – 1:30pm	Break
1:30pm – 2:30pm	Building #Belonging from the Ground Up. Over the past three years, Washoe County, NV has embarked on an intentional path of building a culture of belonging for sustainable DEIB initiatives and to meet the needs of our community which has seen significant growth in diversity over the past decade. This presentation will take participants through our comprehensive approach to move the needle through community outreach, strategic planning, modernizing recruitment, employee development and engagement and building cultural awareness. Learning Objectives: Learn a model to organically build belonging into an organization's culture. Learn actionable (and easy) steps that can be taken to build a sustainable DEIB program. Learn how a compliance-based language access plan can help move the needle. Learn practical tips for establishing DEIB programs in majority white organizations and regions whose populations are rapidly changing. Speakers: Elizabeth Jourdin, HR Manager, Equity and Organizational Effectiveness, County of Washoe, Nevada Kelly McBride, HR Program Analyst, County of Washoe, Nevada
1:30pm – 2:30pm	Creating Your Democracy Plan: Evidence-Based Strategies That Boost Civic Health Community leaders globally seek meaningful ways to amplify diverse voices in decision-making. The Local Policy Lab (LPL) offers tailored Comprehensive Democracy Plans for cities. These plans integrate evidence-based strategies like voter engagement and civic assemblies. LPL aids cities in implementing and piloting these innovations. This 60-minute session covers: Civic Assemblies' role in collaborative, inclusive policy decisions. Voter engagement's role in bolstering local democracy. Enhancing cities' listening abilities for reflective governance. Insights from Healthy Democracy and LPL, two nonprofits at the forefront of democratic innovation in the United States (and potentially a third organization or LPL Network city), are featured. At the end, both Healthy Democracy and LPL will elaborate on ways to support cities further—whether hosting a civic assembly or curating their own Democracy Plan. Learning Objectives: Distinguish between the core values and structure of a Civic/Citizens’ Assembly as compared with traditional forms of civic engagement. Describe the benefits of using a democratic lottery to select community participants in public policy engagements. Understand different strategies local governments (working in collaboration with organizations and residents) can use to improve resident engagement and strengthen democratic institutions. Articulate the importance of centering local government in democracy work. Speakers: Alex Renirie, Program Co-Director, Health Dmocracy Laura Wood, Vice President of Democracy, The Local Policy Lab
	TBD   Speaker: Martín Carcasson,, PhD; Professor in the Communication Studies department of Colorado State University, and the founder and director of the CSU Center for Public Deliberation (CPD)
2:30pm – 2:45pm	Break
2:45pm-3:55pm General Session	Identifying Highest Impact Practices in Municipal Budgeting for Equity Local governments can have a lasting and significant impact on equity creation for all residents of their communities. The budget is one of the most powerful tools for influencing change. This summary provides an overview of interviews and research performed by ResourceX along with tool and technique findings through direct work with municipalities across the United States. Learning Objectives: Explore the key themes, trends, and best emerging practices for municipal budgeting for equity actively being deployed by cities across the United States. Community Connectors-in-Residence themselves will share the culturally proficient community engagement process they co-designed with city staff, how community input influenced the city’s Executive Budget Team and council, how they creatively trained community members to share their perspectives during council meetings, and how they kept community in the loop all along the way. Speakers: Chris Fabian, Senior Director of Product Strategy, Priority-Based Budgeting, Tyler Technologies Ryan Hanschen, Community Engagement Manager, City of Boulder, Colorado
4:00pm-5:00pm	Fostering Meaningful Community Collaboration: Tackling Emerging Topics Through Deep Partnership In today's rapidly evolving landscape, challenges like climate change, policy shifts, and the rise of AI are reshaping communities worldwide. Addressing these complex issues requires a collaborative approach that taps into the collective wisdom and lived experiences of local stakeholders. This session will explore strategies for fostering meaningful partnerships with community-based organizations, moving beyond superficial outreach to co-creating impactful solutions. Speakers from the International Economic Development Council will share insights from their Equitable Economic Development Toolkit, highlighting intentional community engagement strategies that drive inclusive and sustainable progress. Learning Objectives: Understand strategies for intentional and equitable community engagement from the International Economic Development Council's Equity Economic Development Playbook. Learn ways to foster collaboration between organizations and local communities to address complex emerging issues. Speakers: Emily Brown, Senior Director of Knowledge Management, The International Economic Development Council Kambiana Crank, Economic Development Associate, The International Economic Development Council
4:00pm-5:00pm	Youth Excel: Economic Mobility & Workforce Development Planning with and for Youth Economic mobility is out of reach for too many young Americans. Since the Great Recession, nearly 95 percent of all new jobs have gone to workers with at least some college education. The economic disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic are following a similar pattern. Many young people – particularly youth and young adults who identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC) – are disconnected from school and/or the workforce, are low-income, and have limited access to quality educational and career experiences. Too often they face structural barriers to accessing equitable career pathways and quality jobs, particularly in high-demand science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) industries. City leaders, including mayors, city councils, city managers, and equity officers are well-positioned to respond to these challenges with bold actions that will improve the trajectory of marginalized young people. To inform and guide city leaders, the National League of Cities (NLC) has partnered with several cities to promote long-term community economic security by: Developing partnerships and implementing strategies that improve access to quality post-secondary education and career pathway opportunities that lead to higher-wage jobs. Focusing on job quality improvement strategies. Integrating the critical perspectives and voice of marginalized youth and young adults. Hear learnings and emerging best practices from jurisdictions across the country grappling with economic development in a fresh way. Learning Objectives: Explain the role of equity and economic mobility in economic development planning and goals. Communicate how and why to center youth in economic development strategies. Develop, vet, or identify communities of practice related to economic mobility and equity. Speakers: Brianna Evans, Equity & Inclusion Officer, City of Redwood City, Califonia Tashfia Hasan, Senior Program Specialist, National League of Cities