Partners for Racial Equity to Host Community Workshops

By Kelly Spencer, CRC Member

“It is our responsibility that you be heard.” This was the promise made to the community through the Standing Together for Justice joint statement by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community Relations, City of Charlotte Office of Equity, Mobility and Immigrant Integration, Mecklenburg County Office of Equity & Inclusion, Community Building Initiative, and Race Matters for Juvenile Justice.

These organizations are partnering to reinforce their commitment to racial equity and social justice. It is the shared focus of this Partners for Racial Equity group to acknowledge deeply rooted structural racism and racial trauma throughout Charlotte-Mecklenburg; as well as give advocates and influencers the ability to take action to help create systemic policies, procedures and practices that create equitable outcomes.

So, what does “being heard” mean for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community? And what is the local government’s role in racial equity?

“It’s a process and it’s a journey,” said Phin Xaypangna, Manager of Mecklenburg County’s Office of Equity & Inclusion. “We created these systems of racial inequity, and now it’s our job to fix them. We have a critical role to play in shaping our communities and ensuring everyone has a better outcome.”

In this time of uncertainty, it is important for communities to have a good understanding of their local government’s commitment to, and actions being taken to combat racial inequity. “It’s critical that people understand the critical steps we’re working on to dismantle our policies, practices and procedures and they are involved in helping to shape them,” Xaypangna said.

Both the City and County have a partnership with the Government Alliance on Racial Equity (GARE) and incorporate shared models into how the community is engaged around racial equity work. The joint statement aptly says that “it will take a new normal [i.e. open community discussions] that examines root causes to create true and lasting change,” and true to their word, planning is currently underway to do just that.

In a series of virtual public workshops, the Partners for Racial Equity will be diving in to what matters to the people of Charlotte-Mecklenburg. Each workshop will be open to approximately 25 people and will focus on personal experiences, what participants would like to see in a racially equitable community and small group discussions around equitable government. It is the hope of the Partners for Racial Equity that these workshops provide another opportunity to collaborate on solutions that will positively impact the community.

The Partners for Racial Equity believe that all members of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community can play a role in breaking down barriers to racial equity. “The first step is for everyone to understand how we got here,” Xaypangna said. “And the second step is to get people to say to themselves ’what can I do to help?’ in a way that doesn’t just ‘check a box.’ Getting people invested for the long haul is key, because people of color have been dealing with this their whole lives.”

For those wanting to get involved, make a commitment to change and engage in the upcoming workshops, subscribe to Community Relations to receive the latest information.