Racial Equity Initiative

The goal of the Racial Equity Action Plan is to transform our great department into an even better one — one that understands the impacts of historical and systematic racism on all of us, and works to be a more equitable organization.

 

In fall 2020, the SF Public Works' Racial Equity Working Group did extensive outreach to gather experiences and ideas on how race and racism affects us individually and as a department. About 400 Public Works employees — or about a quarter of the total workforce — participated. It took time and courage to step into these difficult but necessary conversations. This Racial Equity Action Plan is rooted in these voices.

 

The Action Plan has two phases: Phase One focuses on internal department culture, programs and policies. Phase Two, which will be developed in 2022, is outward-facing and will address how the department delivers services and community programs.

 

Check out the complete SF Public Works Racial Equity Action Plan Phase One.

 

Inspecting Our Foundation
A Reexamination of Public Works' History Through a Racial Equity Lens

Historically, Public Works’ projects and policies have had a mixed impact on the people of San Francisco. On one level, they have been a major driver of progress and innovation – buildings and roads are safer, sidewalks are more accessible and the City has a robust urban forest. These benefits, however, have not traditionally been apportioned evenly among San Francisco’s various neighborhoods and demographic groups, and at times the pursuit of these ends have actively hurt and marginalized the City’s communities of color. What may seem like progress to some can mean dispossession and displacement for others. This report will discuss a handful of major moments in Public Works history that have disproportionately impacted and at times harmed the City’s communities of color.

 

 

 

Snapshots: Racial Justice

sfpublicworks · Snapshots: Racial Justice