With an Asian community that makes up more than 30 percent of its population, Sugar Land has become one of the most diverse cities in Texas, prompting concerns by the city council about how the city could most effectively serve these new constituents.

In 2007, the council adopted a policy called “inclusive community” as a guiding principle moving forward.

To turn the council’s policy into results, City Manager Allen Bogard created the City Manager’s Multi-Cultural Advisory Team (CMMCAT).

The advisory team’s goals included:

• enhancing the city’s ability to meet the needs of residents of all cultures and ethnicities
• promoting an understanding of diverse cultures among residents
• building opportunities for residents of all backgrounds to share in and be part of Sugar Land and American traditions.

The city hosted “101” sessions on the largest multicultural communities for its staff. The first session, “Chinese 101,” was held in February 2009. It offered slideshows on Chinese history and culture and included a question-and-answer session intended to improve service delivery to the Chinese community.

This successful class format was later replicated with “Asian-Indian 101” and “South Asian/Pakistani 101.”

As a result of this initiative, city staff now better understand the residents they serve, citizens of all races and ethnicities feel confident that their voices are being heard, and Asian participation in city programs has increased.