We are excited to introduce two segments from Arlington County’s Racial History Timeline. This timeline can be used by community members as a fundamental tool to highlight and understand the racial motivations in our history to move us closer to achieving racial equity. The timeline documents key historical events in Arlington County related to housing, education, community facilities, public safety, transportation, urban planning, public infrastructure, and more. This historical context has, and will continue to, create a foundation for the elimination, reduction, and prevention of disparities in county policies, practices, procedures, and community engagement.

As we continue to expand the timeline, we invite members of the community to share information, personal stories, and resources. It is our sincere hope that you will use the timeline, in conjunction with our other tools, to familiarize yourself with our work. We also invite feedback as you utilize the tools. Sharing your experience will help us refine the tools for future use. Information regarding opportunities to share your stories is forthcoming. 

We are pleased to announce that Amber Barnett (she/her/hers) has recently joined Arlington County Government as the Race and Equity Projects Manager. In this role, she will be supporting the Chief Race and Equity Officer to advance the County’s racial equity work, both internal and external to the organization.

Prior to joining Arlington County, Amber was the Associate Director of Holistic Student Supports at Achieving the Dream (ATD) where she managed the development and delivery of promising equity-minded practices in advising and student supports for a large, grant funded project. During her time at ATD, Amber worked directly with partner organizations and networks to support the development of tools and resources for colleges across the country that integrated academic and personal supports. She also chaired the Organizational Culture subcommittee for the Culture & Equity team where she led the development of a staff awards program, created a monthly newsletter in partnership with human resources, and facilitated a series of monthly spotlight sessions highlighting cultural observances including Black History Month (with a focus on Historically Black Colleges and Universities), International Women’s Day (with a focus on BIPOC women in leadership), and Mental Health Awareness Month.

Amber’s extensive background in education, both at the secondary and post-secondary levels, working with students, faculty, staff, and other partners, has shaped the unique perspective that she brings to her racial equity work. As a collaborative social justice practitioner, Amber is committed to disrupting and dismantling policies and practices that disproportionately impact BIPOC people. She applies an asset-based approach to reduce and repair harm caused as a result of historically oppressive systems.

Amber is a proud two-time HBCU graduate. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration from Morgan State University.

Save the date for our next DRE Partner Convening! 
Thursday, September 30, 6:30-8 p.m.

Due to summer recess, we will not be meeting in August. We will resume our convenings in September and will send a Zoom registration link closer to the date.