History of Social Justice and Racial Equity Initiative

In June 2012, the Iowa City City Council established the Diversity Committee which was formulated to serve as an ad hoc council committee to review issues relating to diversity within the City organization. The committee reviewed the policies, practices and procedures within the Iowa City Police Department and the Transportation Services Department with the intent to provide a set of recommendations to the City Council on diversity-related matters. In March 2013, the Diversity Committee supplied the City Council and City staff with their recommendations. City staff developed an implementation form and reporting process designed to incorporate recommendations from both the Diversity Committee and City staff. The City Manager initiated a Diversity Task force and appointed an Equity Director to ensure the recommendations are implemented and in compliance with the goals of the City Council. The Council passed a resolution supporting various recommendations from City staff and the Diversity Committee.

Council Resolution of 2013 Approving Staff Recommendations for Implementation
of Various Recommendations by the Ad Hoc Diversity Committee

Council Resolution approving 2015 Equity Action Plan and the Five Areas of Focus

Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant (SJRE Grant)

This grant opportunity is available to Iowa City-based organizations, both non and for profit, with the purpose of encouraging, empowering, and engaging social justice and racial equity initiatives through programs, activities, or services that help eliminate inequities in the Iowa City community. Programs that address one or more of the six priority service areas will receive preference: education, building community, housing, criminal justice, health, and employment. The Human Rights Commission reviews applications then forwards its recommendations to the City Council for review and approval. The City Council has approved $75,000 for FY2022, which will be split among the recipients.

Watch the Informational Session on the grant (Recorded November 9, 2021) 
PowerPoint Presentation from Social Justice & Racial Equity Informational Session November 2021. 
Rubric Used by the Commission to Evaluate Submissions.
Apply for the Social Justice & Racial Equity Grant for Fiscal Year 2022. 
Grant Allocations and Summary for Fiscal Year 2021. 
Submissions for the Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant Fiscal Year 2021.
 

Social Justice and Racial Equity Quarterly Updates from City Departments

The Social Justice and Racial Equity Quarterly Updates supplies the public with up-to-date information regarding City staff's work on social justice and racial equity. 

Most current updates: 
Social Justice and Racial Equity 1st Quarter Update 2021
Social Justice and Racial Equity 2nd Quarter Update 2021

Social Justice and Racial Equity Quarterly Updates archive

Office of Equity & Human Rights Monthly Newsletter

View past and current issues of The Lens, a newsletter that spotlights Social Justice and Racial Equity. 

The Lens newsletter

Current issues: 
October 2021
November 2021

The Lens archive

 

Equity Director

Stefanie Bowers was appointed by the City Manager in 2012. The Equity Director serves as adviser to the City Manager on issues of equity & inclusion. Specifically, she focuses on providing strategies, planning, facilitation, and development of government work on racial equity and engagement for the present and long term. Her work also includes enforcement and protection of Iowa City’s Human Rights Ordinance. 

Annual Racial Equity Report Card

The Racial Equity Report Card is a way for the City to measure its progress as it relates to improvements for communities of color. The report published since 2014, provides the yearly racial demographics of persons charged by the Iowa City Police Department, the racial demographics of persons stopped by the Iowa City Police Department, the racial demographics of City staff, and the yearly number of complaints of discrimination based upon race filed with the Office of Equity and Human Rights. 

Preserving Black History in Iowa City: Tate Arms and the Iowa Federation Home

In 2016, the City of Iowa City applied for and received an African American Civil Rights Grant from the National Park Service for a two-part project. The first was to nominate two buildings in Iowa City associated with African American housing equity during the Civil Rights Era to the National Register of Historic Places. The second was to create educational signage for these two buildings, as well as provide print and digital media educational materials. The two buildings are the Iowa Federation Home, located at 942 Iowa Avenue, and Tate Arms, located at 914 S. Dubuque Street. Learn more. 

Government Alliance for Race and Equity (GARE) 

The City of Iowa City is a part of the Government Alliance for Race and Equity (GARE). The City joined in 2015, making it the second City in Iowa to become a member. GARE is a national network of government working to achieve racial equity and advance opportunities for all. Across the country, governmental jurisdictions are:

  • Making a commitment to achieving racial equity
  • Focusing on the power and influence of their own institutions, and
  • Working in partnership with others

When this occurs, significant leverage and expansion opportunities emerge, setting the stage for the achievement of racial equity in our communities. More information about GARE is available at this link. For Iowa City Profile visit click here. 

Advancing Racial Equity
Key Steps to Inclusive Public Engagement


 

City Government