The Lacey City Council officially adopted the 2024-2030 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Strategic Plan, marking a significant step toward advancing equity in the city.
The plan, which serves as a six-year roadmap, aims to eliminate barriers to participation, promote diversity, and create an inclusive community for all.
The Commission on Equity, which crafted the plan, celebrated the achievement during a meeting on September 23.
“This is a big step to inspire us and the community around us,” said Commission Chair Annie Clay.
Clay emphasized that while the plan's adoption is a milestone, “now, our real work begins.”
The focus will shift toward implementation, with efforts to monitor the city’s hiring and training policies and ensure that discrimination is rooted out from city procedures.
The strategic plan outlines four primary goals: improving the workforce and work environment, increasing community access and engagement, integrating DEIB into policies and services, and advancing livability through equitable economic opportunities and housing.
The plan includes specific benchmarks and will be assessed annually.
Commissioner Thelma Jackson expressed pride in the commission’s work, noting the significance of Lacey pushing through challenges faced by many DEI initiatives nationwide.
“The real work begins now,” Jackson said, highlighting that the next phase will be more challenging but just as essential.
The City’s press release underscores the importance of this plan for Lacey's future, reinforcing the message that "people are the priority" and that Lacey is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for its 60,000+ residents.
The strategic plan sets goals and envisions Lacey as a leader in fostering a community where “all individuals feel valued, welcomed, respected, and safe,” ensuring that public engagement remains a central element in shaping city policies.
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KeliDrake
Congratulations, Lacey! I'm so excited for your achievement!
2 days ago Report this
Southsoundguy
Complete waste of time and resources. DEI is being shunned by the largest corporations while Lacey is playing catch up to 2016 college campus lefties. Grow up.
Yesterday at 12:10 AM Report this
Deskandchairs
DEI, so yesterday
Yesterday at 6:23 AM Report this
ChuckCross
Sounds like utopian nonsense to me. Sounds like Lacey leaders are admitting that a welcoming and inclusive environment does not exist for current and/or future residents. Throw my hat in with SS Guy.
Yesterday at 8:39 AM Report this
pbaron1902
I think the City might have begun with evidence for lack of inclusion, etc., or did they just assume it, seeing prejudice is alive and well everywhere. Blanket criticisms are useless.
Yesterday at 12:58 PM Report this
WA_Mojo
Waste of time and resources for a nonissue. DEI = Didn't Earn It
Yesterday at 2:17 PM Report this
wolfmanner
Congratulations ? Lol. Just a bunch of anti white woke crap.
Yesterday at 2:54 PM Report this
Claire
Commission on Equity? Give me a break. Even major corporations are ditching their DEI departments. Doesn't work. Just look at who is VP.
Yesterday at 9:21 PM Report this
bobkat
Lacey now apparently wants to be identified as "Olympia East."
Yesterday at 10:56 PM Report this