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Social Equity
The City of Charlottesville is committed to being a Diverse, Equitable and Inclusive city. We acknowledge the Monacan People as the Indigenous custodians of the land that creates the City of Charlottesville, and pay our respect to their elder's past, present, and emerging.
By 2030 the Weldon Cooper Center estimates that the City of Charlottesville and the County of Albemarle may have a combined population of nearly 175,000 residents.
The City of Charlottesville recognizes that contributions from all its residents - current, future, and past, and comprised of all gender identities, ethnicities, races, and backgrounds have enriched the community to be the rich and vibrant location it is today and will be tomorrow. To best serve our residents, the government of the City of Charlottesville is committed to ensuring that, as an employer of choice, we will promote, respect, and foster diversity in our workplace.
HISTORY
Charlottesville’s focus on justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion was forged from the events of 2017 and moved forward. In 2019, then-Deputy City Manager Mike Murphy drafted a report to present to the City Manager and City Council on how to intentionally focus on REDI (racial equity, diversity, and inclusion) in our organization and Mayor Nikuyah Walker continued to place a keen focus on REDI. The goals from that 2018-2020 work were intended to deeply institutionalize inclusion, equity, and justice for all in a broad and far-reaching way. Finally, during the 2022 Strategic Planning process, the City Council created a stated commitment to JEDI – Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Following their work, City Manager Samuel Sanders matched the commitment to JEDI with the new public administration theory of social equity – ensuring that the city’s focus truly considered the first part of JEDI – Justice – as well as the principles of fairness.
WHAT IS SOCIAL EQUITY
Social Equity is the fair, just, and equitable management of all institutions serving the public directly; the fair and equitable distribution of public services and implementation of public policy; and the commitment to promote fairness, justice, and equity in the formation of public policy according to the American Society of Public Administration (ASPA, 2023).
OFFICE OF SOCIAL EQUITY MISSION AND VISION
The City of Charlottesville, Virginia, is committed to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI). We specifically place a critical focus on the issues of racial equity and the impacts of current and historical discrimination focused on communities of color, with a focal point on our African-American community in Charlottesville. We welcome all people and recognize the rights of individuals to live their lives with dignity, free of discrimination based on their faith, race, gender, gender identity, national origin, or immigration status. We will continue our work to make our services and programs accessible and open to all individuals. We believe in the public sector for the public good. Advancing equity and inclusion is critical to the success of our communities and our nation.
Staff Leadership: Deputy City Manager Ashley Reynolds Marshall
Programs within the Office of Social Equity
Key City Offices and Departments furthering the mission and vision of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
The City of Charlottesville takes its commitment to JEDI (justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion) seriously. We want to ensure that all employees and community members feel safe and welcomed and that they belong. The City itself provides several programs and services to the LGBTQIA+.
The City of Charlottesville and the Office of Social Equity partner with local nonprofits to provide compassionate care and resources to our unsheltered community members.
To move the full organization forward, it is imperative that we all have the same understanding of the City’s goals and objectives. Key to this is understanding how the City defines justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion – as well as other key terms as we move towards a more inclusive workplace. These definitions are rooted in the One Virginia plan, as well as by looking to national leaders in equity such as GARE and Race Forward. These definitions were presented and approved by the City Council as a companion to their Strategic Plan Commitment to JEDI.
Go to the Key Definitions for Justice, Equity, Inclusion, Diversity, and Racial Equity Page