Realizing Arlington’s Commitment to Equity

1. Vision - An equitable Arlington is one where all are valued, educated, healthy and safe regardless of race.
2. Mission - As an employee, resident or business in Arlington, advance racial equity as a county-wide priority to eliminate, reduce, and prevent disparities in our policies, procedures practices, engagement, and interaction with and service to the community.

The ultimate measure of success is when racial equity as a value, is what we believe and becomes what we all advance as a matter of practice, standard operating procedure; it is just what we do.

A racial equity lens is defined by the Gemini Company as “a critical thinking exercise to help cultivate and maintain an equity mindset.  It is the umbrella under which a Racial Equity Tool is devised and used.  It is a means to think about operationalizing Equity.  

We ask the below questions to understand whether and where there are racial inequities existing, being created or being exacerbated in a policy, procedure, practice or program whether we are developing it or modifying it.

1. Normalize - A shared understanding, knowledge and terminology around racial equity within the organization and among the community. Racial equity is accepted as an imperative and priority throughout the organization and within the community.
2. Organize - A sustainable and supported structure to advance racial equity to include personnel and resources that become a defined and integral component of the organization and the system. Build the capacity of the organization and within the community and commit and dedicate resources to support identified areas of need.
3. Operationalize - Racial equity is a matter of principle in developing and considering the impact policies, plans, and decisions have on all residents as well as employees. Use the racial equity lens, tools and disaggregated data to identify where systemic and institutional racism presents itself and make the changes needed to dismantle it.

4. Assess - Every employee, resident and person who interacts with the County sees themselves in the work, the process, the system and structure. Evaluate where we are, what we have done and how we are doing; what things do we need to change, adjust and how we evolve overtime to respond to changes in the workforce, culture, and community.

View Arlington County's full plan for Advancing Racial Equity In Government