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Si gusta communicarse con la ciudad de Kenmore o revisar un documento en otro idioma, envíe su solicitud con su información de contacto a cityhall@kenmorewa.gov o llame al 425-398-8900.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 17, 2022
City of Kenmore Communications
communications@kenmorewa.gov
425-398-8900
Kenmore, WA - On the evening of Monday, November 14th, the City Council adopted Kenmore’s first Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) Policy. This policy frames operational goals and establishes a citywide strategic initiative to promote DEIA in the City of Kenmore’s community culture, programs, services, and workplace while fostering a safe, inclusive, and welcoming community for all.
In 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution 20-348 directing the City Manager to create a plan for outlining funding and resources to develop a policy that honors diversity within city programs and the community. Under the guidance of Human Resources Manager Leonora Palaña, the City hired Chanin Kelly-Rae Consulting to perform an Equity Needs Assessment. In collaboration with Council, the three formed the community-led DEI Advisory Task Force, whose goal was to discuss and assist in the development of the policy.
The DEIA policy, which identifies actionable steps to change Kenmore’s practices that perpetuate racism, was developed through feedback from the Task Force, a community engagement survey, interviews with city staff and leadership, and an assessment of the policies of the city. The cultivated recommendations created and shaped Kenmore’s DEIA Policy.
"It was such an honor and privilege to serve on the City of Kenmore's inaugural DEI Task Force alongside others who care deeply about all members of our community,” said Task Force member Nancy Thai. “The City Council's unanimous approval to pass the DEIA policy is an affirmation that all people, regardless of their identities, are welcome to live, work, and recreate in Kenmore."
In addition to the DEIA Policy, the City is working on a 5-Year DEIA Strategic Implementation Plan that will produce a roadmap for advancing DEIA in both the City of Kenmore organization and the greater Kenmore community. This Plan will be developed in early 2023 with assistance from Chanin Kelly-Rae Consulting and a DEIA Advisory Committee, with the goal of adoption and implementation in 2023.
“This is a solid step in the right direction, but there’s so much more to do,” said Mayor Nigel Herbig. “We need to continue to take real, meaningful action, and this policy sets a strong framework for advancing toward a more just and inclusive Kenmore—a Kenmore where we go beyond just words, and even beyond just changing our attitudes. A Kenmore that also changes the underlying governmental and institutional policies and systems that perpetuate racism and social injustice.”
“Chanin Kelly-Rae Consulting is proud to have been entrusted to collaborate with the City of Kenmore to bring forward a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Policy that seeks to recognize the full humanity of ALL people and create the conditions whereby Kenmore becomes a place where everyone can thrive,” said Kelly-Rae. “Educator and philosopher Margaret J. Wheatley said, ‘There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about.’ The City of Kenmore has once again taken a stand to be deliberate and intentional in its firmly planted strides to move toward the more perfect union. Together, we are excited about the future possibilities, and many opportunities ahead to both listen and learn as part of that growth.”
View the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) Policy and visit the DEIA website for more information and opportunities to participate.
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