IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 19, 2022
Contact: Lindsi Mailler
lmailler@easthamptonma.gov
CITY LEADERSHIP CONTINUES INTENTIONAL ANTI-RACISM AND BIAS WORK
Easthampton, MA - As a part of the Mayor’s Pledge to Reimagine Policing and address underlying barriers to a more inclusive economic development ecosystem, Mayor LaChapelle mandated department heads participate in anti-racism and bias workshops. The 18-hour People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond (PISAB) workshops offered in August and October of 2021 were the first steps for leaders across departments doing focused work on equity and bias in local government. Find below a listing of city leadership, electeds, and appointees who participated in one of the workshops.
“I deeply appreciate the active participation of leadership, city employees, and board members who attended the sessions in August or October. Their attendance further moves Easthampton to further conversations around inclusion,” said Mayor LaChapelle.
City leadership now takes the next step with April debrief sessions of the Virtual Undoing Racism® with PISAB Facilitator Dr. Lomax and Ashley Campbell of Third Eye Network. April’s sessions will cover the following: Debrief recapping tools covered during the Undoing Racism® Workshop, introducing frameworks on Managing Organizational Culture and Change, The Philosophical Aspects of Cultural Difference, Historical Levels of Institutional Racism, and Priority Setting (i.e., strategic planning) and Action Planning (TEN’s anti-racist strategy chart).
City employees, City Council, School Committee, and volunteer boards were invited to the 2021 Undoing Racism® workshops. All who attended can participate in a debrief session this April.
The City of Easthampton plans on pairing with PISAB, Drs. Lomax and Ashley Campbell of Third Eye Network to offer another Undoing Racism® Workshop this fall, open to Easthampton residents and City staff.