Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
Racial Equity Group CEO Bird Guess conducts one of two DEI training sessions with the MMA’s DEI committee on Oct. 16. Pictured are top row (l-r) Lily Rancatore, MMA, Bird Guess, Racial Equity Group, Katie McCue, MMA, Denise Casey, North Andover Deputy Town Manager; middle row (l-r) Kiana Pierre-Louis, Sharon Select Board Member, Jill Hai, MMA President and Lexington Select Board Member, Adam Chapdelaine, MMA, Candace Pierce, MMA; and bottom row (l-r) Michael Obasohan, North Adams Councillor & Pittsfield Chief Diversity Officer, and Christopher Coleman, Westwood Town Administrator.
In early November, the MMA launched a Municipal DEI Survey to better understand the progress municipalities have made in advancing diversity, equity and inclusion.
The survey is designed to identify how municipalities have emphasized DEI in municipal practices, policies and culture.
The MMA hired the Racial Equity Group to assist with this effort, as well as to develop a strategic plan for the organization.
By participating in the survey, members will help the Racial Equity Group identify the resources and education needed to support municipal members engaged in this work, according to their level of need, and establish benchmarks for success.
The survey was sent to chief municipal officers, municipal DEI officers, and local human resource directors. The anonymous survey may be filled out by any or all of the recipients, and all information will be kept confidential. Responses must be submitted by midnight on Dec. 15.
The Racial Equity Group is also conducting a series of member focus groups throughout the remainder of the year. The first of five small group discussions was held on Nov. 27. The focus groups will serve as another mechanism for gathering information about DEI work being conducted at the local level.
DEI will also have a strong presence during the MMA Annual Meeting & Trade Show on Jan. 19 and 20. The event will feature an opening keynote by Eddie Glaude Jr. and a recurring workshop on the basics of DEI and how it can be implemented within cities and towns.