GET STARTED ON YOUR EQUITY JOURNEY
Tools and Research Learning Opportunities Glossary of Terms Podcasts
Audiocast Series Race and Social Justice Resources Courageous Conversations
Equity Officer Institute Equity and Inclusion Resources Equity Summit
ICMA's Path to Building Diversity (Interactive Timeline)
Message from the Executive Director
Actions ICMA is taking on racial equity and social justice.
ICMA has made a focused commitment to Race, Equity, and Social Justice in all forms, as a means to achieving thriving communities. ICMA works to achieve equity and social justice, to affirm human dignity, and to improve the quality of life for the individual and the community.
- Mission
Creating better communities around the world begins with a commitment to social justice and equity. ICMA strives to ensure that our members and the overall profession reflect the diversity of the people we serve. We work to mitigate the effects of bias in all areas of local government by developing and promoting programs and initiatives in the areas of service delivery, hiring practices, leadership development, community engagement, and workplace culture. ICMA works to drive engagement and support of members, local governments, and partnering organizations on issues related to equity, systemic racism, and social justice.
- Vision
ICMA is the race, equity, and social justice thought leader in local government. Our members and their communities have these values and principles ingrained in their culture and practices.
- Partners and Affiliates
Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE)
Local Government Hispanic Network (LGHN)
National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA)
- Contact Us
Have questions, comments and/or content to share? Contact us at speakup@icma.org.
- ICMA Executive Board Statement Regarding Systemic Racism
- Declaration of Ideals
ICMA was founded with a commitment to the preservation of the values and integrity of representative local government and local democracy and a dedication to the promotion of efficient and effective management of public services. To fulfill the spirit of this commitment, ICMA works to maintain and enhance public trust and confidence in local government, to achieve equity and social justice, to affirm human dignity, and to improve the quality of life for the individual and the community. Read more.
- Moral and Ethical Leadership
ICMA Code of Ethics: The principles outlined in the ICMA Code of Ethics and enforced by the Rules of Procedure govern the conduct of every member of ICMA.
It is the exercise of ethical leadership practiced by those engaged in the moral struggle that made the difference.
The Seven Leadership Qualities for Times of Civic Disruption
Leaders at all levels can instill trust in our democratic systems.
Strengthening Your Moral Compass to Overcome Ethical Roadblocks
Integrating shared values between your personal and professional life builds integrity. [PM magazine, March 2020]
The Importance of Ethical Leadership and Moral Courage in Public Management
It is the exercise of ethical leadership practiced by those engaged in the moral struggle that made the difference between success or failure. [PM magazine, March 2020]
Ideals for the profession. [PM magazine, August 2020]
PM Magazine
A late-breaking special edition of PM
Ideals for the profession [PM Magazine, August 2020]
The 2020 Local Government Excellence Awards Issue
Black Leadership in Local Government
Equity and Inclusion
Elevating Your Equity Work
Inspiring Leaders and Communities:
The ICMA Local Government Excellence Awards 2022
ICMA Equity Summits
Past Equity Summits: First Annual Equity Summit 2021
Past Equity Summit: 2nd Annual Equity Summit 2022
Embedding Equity into Daily Operations and Planning for the Future
Resource Page
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND OTHER LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Courageous Conversation Series
ICMA Courageous Conversation Series
Join us for this 90 minute webinar about how to put the American Rescue Plan Act resources to the best use possible in your communities.
How two local governments support small, minority, and women-owned businesses
Join us at ICMA’s inaugural Equity Summit, Moving the Needle, a virtual learning event focused on advancing racial equity in local government.
ICMA Leadership Institute on Race, Equity, and Inclusion
Open to ICMA members only, the application period is open for the next session and will close on June 30.
ICMA / Kettering Foundation / National Civic League
Engaging citizens to solve community problems
ICMA EQUITY OFFICER INSTITUTE (COHORT)
If you are committed to addressing issues of race, equity, and social justice in your local government, ICMA invites you to apply to the ICMA Equity Officer Institute.
Part of the Ask an ICMA Manager series.
With ICMA Equity Cohort member, Phillip Smith-Hanes, county administrator Saline County...
With ICMA Equity Cohort member, Kweli Rashied-Henry, racial equity officer, Durham County
RESOURCES FROM PARTNERS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
Glossary of Terms
The City of Asheville, NC
Materials from our partners, along with reports and surveys that describe approaches that have impact and provide the opportunity to learn from the experiences of others.
A Four-Step Reference Guide to Recruiting, Hiring, and Retaining Employees with Disabilities
A variety of tools and resources from PolicyLink.
A variety of resources from Living Cities.
America's most detailed report card on racial and economic equity. We equip movement...
FOR HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS & PROVIDERS
City of San Antonio Office of Equity
Leadership for a New Era Series
A variety of tools and resources from the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE)
Equity and Inclusion in the Profession
ICMA International Affiliates are tackling issues of equity and inclusion in cities across...
An overview of women members of ICMA.
Advancing equity and LGBTQIA+ participation in local government.
ICMA strives to ensure that our members and the overall profession reflects the diversity...
New Award Category Enhances the ICMA Local Government Excellence Awards Program
Blog Posts
If your agency is facing a political threat, you do not fight it with silence—you fight it with strategy.
The effects are real and they’re dangerous—to employee well-being, to public trust, and to the long-term health of our communities.
Hear from Gettysburg Leadership Institute alumni and sign up for the September 2025 cohort!
The comprehensive second edition resource with brand new local government case studies for effective governance.
Learn about the valuable leadership lessons gained through attending the Gettysburg Leadership Institute.
Learn about this ICMA-facilitated global exchange that underscored the vital role of learning from peer communities around the world to improve emergency preparedness.
News
Congressional action is required to secure the future of public safety communications.
Part two of our series on practical decision-making strategies for city/county managers
Voters in Portland, Oregon, approved major changes to their city government, establishing geographic districts, ranked-choice voting, and a centralized organizational structure.
Conceptual meditations with Protagon and Antagon
The local government management profession is on the front lines of protecting the values of democracy every day, and for over 100 years, ICMA’s members have answered this call.
