Advancing Equity and Inclusion in Santa Monica

The City of Santa Monica is committed to addressing past harms, breaking down systemic barriers, and advancing equity for all our community members. The City has taken important steps to create internal programs and advance community initiatives focused on racial equity, with the understanding that within each individual effort a myriad of social identities including gender, sexual orientation, class, and ability benefit from the more inclusive policies generated by these efforts.  

Citywide Equity Plan in the Works
Currently, the City's DEI team is working to develop the Santa Monica's first Citywide Equity Plan. The plan is being built from a foundation of community input and informed with departmental resources and priorities. The DEI team anticipates presenting it to the city council for adoption in spring 2025. We will post the link to the agenda item once it's available. Take a look at what we've learned so far: Fall 2024 Community Equity Priority Feedback Summary

Involvement Opportunity: Apply to Be a Community Connector by Feb. 15, 2025
The DEI team is pleased to announce the launch of the Community Connector Program. The program is designed to strengthen relationships between community members and key identity groups who are less likely to engage with the City of Santa Monica in its more formal processes. The individuals who serve as Community Connectors will help build a bridge between the City of Santa Monica and different demographic groups that we would like to forge stronger connections with by hosting community gatherings and sharing community concerns with the DEI team. Applications to become a Community Connector are open now through February 15. Click here to apply. Community Connectors will receive a stipend for their work. 

Statement on Racial Justice, Equity and Social Diversity  
Our City Council reaffirmed its commitment to this work when it adopted Racial Justice, Equity & Social Diversity as a priority at its March 11, 2023, workshop along with the following statement:   

The City of Santa Monica acknowledges the effects of generational and institutional racism and discrimination, and its consequences that continue to impact our residents and businesses. These lessons of our history cannot be ignored. The City is committed to advancing racial equity and social diversity to improve the wellbeing of people who live, work, learn, play, and do business in our City and create a community where differences in life outcomes cannot be predicted by race, class, gender, disability or other identities. Everyone in Santa Monica must have an opportunity to thrive.  

Staff in every department in Santa Monica is tasked with:

• identifying and rectifying the policies, practices, and behaviors that perpetuate racism, discrimination, and other negative racial-based outcomes.

• cultivating an inclusive and fair environment where all people in Santa Monica, in particular disenfranchised communities of color, thrive in the areas of health, economic vitality, and connectedness.

Past Staff Updates

On May 28, 2024, the DEI team provided an update to the council on the team's work on reparations and restorative justice. Click here to view the agenda item (3E). Click here to watch the presentation to the city council.

Additionally, the DEI team published detailed written updates about their equity work on the dates listed below. Click here to view and download the updates.

• March 27, 2024
• July 7, 2023
• January 25, 2022 (The DEI team also gave a presentation to the city council. Click here to watch).

Past Council Actions

July 18, 2023
The council reviewed and commented on the FY 2023-24 equity plan for the DEI team and directed the DEI team to proceed with the implementation of the plan. Click here to view the staff report. Click here to watch the video of the council presentation.

August 24, 2021
The council authorized the transfer of $100,000 to the Santa Monica Black Lives Association (now called the Santa Monica Black Empowerment Association) to support its efforts to address the health, wellness, mental health, and socioeconomic needs of the Black community. Click here to view the staff report.

Sept. 8, 2020
The city council advanced City of Santa Monica support for the creation of the Santa Monica Black Lives Association (now called the Santa Monica Black Empowerment Association), a nonprofit designed by Black community leaders to support Black Santa Monicans, approved Equity and Inclusion Officers for every City department, adopted a racial equity statement for Santa Monica and advanced broad steps toward police reform, including the creation of a Police Commission—the first of its kind in Santa Monica. Click here to read a summary of the council's action on this item. Click here to view the staff report. Click here to watch the council presentation.