Belonging, Equity and Inclusion committee outlines outreach, seeks council permission to post inclusion statement

Maura Jamieson Brooks and Carl Watkins, co-chairs of the city’s Belonging, Equity and Inclusion (BEI) committee, updated the council on committee activities and asked for permission to post the city’s Declaration of Inclusion prominently on the city website and in city communications.

The committee described ongoing programming, including a ‘Movies That Matter’ series (panel discussions tied to films), partnerships with local nonprofits (for example, Recovery City and Voices Against Violence), and plans to staff a face-painting table at the city’s “Spooky Saturday” event. The co-chairs said the BEI committee aims to provide regular public meet-and-greets and circulation of the inclusion statement so it is easier for residents to find.

Council members asked about posting location and format; staff confirmed a digital text version exists on the committee page but the committee wanted the statement more visible and searchable. The council generally supported the request and directed staff to work with the committee on website placement and communications; the council did not require formal re-adoption.

Why it matters: The committee’s request would increase public visibility of the city’s inclusion commitments and expand ongoing community programming.

What’s next: The BEI committee and city staff will coordinate web placement, and the committee asked for quarterly agenda time for future updates. Committee leaders also said they will provide attendance figures for events in future reports.