Chinese-American Planning Council’s Post

99 years ago today, 10 municipal leaders from across the country sat down together in Lawrence, Kansas for the first official meeting of the National League of Cities. On this important anniversary, I took some time to reflect on how much has changed and what has remained the same for our incredible organization in these last 100 years. Read more about it on our CitiesSpeak blog here: https://lnkd.in/ebb6j-_Y

“Democracy is the simplest belief to explain and the hardest one to practice. At its essence, democracy is an act of love. Our instinct as people is often to reserve love for those closest to us, and reserve suspicion for everyone else. But the essence of democracy is that it calls on our ability to do something that feels unnatural: To love those who are different than us.”   - Mayor Michael Johnston 18th, July 2023   On July 17th, Mike Johnston was sworn in as the City of Denver’s 46th Mayor. Along with him, members of the most diverse city council in Denver’s history took their place in leading an increasingly diverse city with its own share of problems. In his inaugural statement, Mike Johnston stated “At its essence, democracy is an act of love.” He went on to make the case that love should no longer be a sacred pact only reserved for those closest to us, but rather it should be a part of civic responsibility, to act out of love, always making choices and decisions that are in the interest of those who are unlike ourselves. This is indeed high rhetoric and a beautiful aspiration.   In a wonderfully diverse city council, the mayor has the necessary partners to live out this ideal. The city council boasts nine women, six Latinas, and the first two Black and openly queer council people in its ranks. In the council people, the mayor has a group of folks who will constantly let him know what it would look like to make the people who have long lived in the margins feel loved.  bell hooks speak about love as an intentional choice (not just an emotion), to make decisions and actions in the other's personal, professional, and spiritual growth. In this case, the “other” is a vast and diverse community of people who come from different histories and lived experiences. Policymaking as an act of love then has to be about justice… remedying historical harms and committing to never repeat the harms of the past. We wish him well in this endeavor and amplify his call to better understand our individual responsibility in the larger project of imagining and building toward a more just and equitable city. We now wait to see how love shows up in public policy and communal decision-making.  https://lnkd.in/g4wFfHjp

BSR offices in the U.S. will be closed today in observance of Juneteenth, a federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in America, as Union soldiers marched on Galveston, Texas in 1865. 159 years later, we acknowledge the continued impact of racialized systemic oppression on Black communities throughout the United States and beyond. Whether your company chooses to recognize or observe this holiday, there is an opportunity to approach its commemoration in a way that advances DEI and social justice efforts within your organization. For BSR members, several resources developed by our Equity, Inclusion & Justice (EIJ) team are available in the member portal to help you get started, such as: Allies+: Ally, Advocate, and Accomplice: https://lnkd.in/gZnn_95H; and Inclusive Leadership: https://lnkd.in/gXmT9wrm. For all viewers, we're also pleased to share The Social Justice Guide for Business: Moving Beyond Crisis to Action, developed by BSR's Center for Business and Social Justice: https://lnkd.in/d-ZyUKtZ. We welcome you to engage with these resources and/or reach out to our team, ready to partner with you to further your DEI ambitions and programming. Email us at web@bsr.org. We stand resolute that to achieve sustainability, we must promote equity and justice. #happyjuneteenth, #DEI, #sustainablebusiness

Journeys start here!

If DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, and JUSTICE are important to you or your organization – attend The Mitchell Awards, on Nov 9, to celebrate eight Honorees who are breaking barriers, educating, mentoring, and helping Delawareans in need. Their focus has been on issues such as equity and fairness, social change, civil liberties, and equality for all. LEARN MORE/TICKETS: https://hubs.ly/Q023-Rkm0

When I think of all the hard work being asked of special education teachers, the last thing I imagine is them not being paid well. I mean, it takes intensely gifted and highly-skilled individuals to join that team in the field. #specialeducation #specialeducationteachers #InclusiveEducation #SpecialNeeds #marylandschools #baltimoreschools #baltimoreteachers #marylandteachers

While attending a recent conference in Philadelphia, I had the opportunity to visit Liberty Bell. Philadelphia is such a historic city, with sites that represent the very beginnings of our nation, such as Independence Hall, the President’s House, and the Betsy Ross House. During a time in our country when there appears to be so much division, I wanted to visit a landmark that has been a symbol of freedom for all. Liberty Bell bears a timeless message: “Proclaim Liberty Throughout all the Land Unto All the Inhabitants thereof”. The speaker of the Pennsylvania assembly ordered that a bell be placed at what is now Independence Hall to commemorate the 50th anniversary of William Penn’s Charter of Privileges, which outlined Penn’s ideas of rights and freedoms. Penn’s charter of Privileges laid the groundwork for a free society: free enterprise, free press, freedom of worship, the right to secure private property, and the right of individuals to speak their mind. The name of the bell was later changed to “Liberty Bell” when it was adopted as a symbol of putting an end to slavery in America. A little-known fact is that the Bell was removed from Philadelphia in 1777 under armed guard and taken to Allentown, PA, where it was hidden in a church. The fear was that the British would melt it and use it to make cannons. It was returned to Philadelphia the following year. In times like these, we need symbols (reminders) that bring us together and help us find common ground. I hope this picture of Liberty Bell encourages you today to embrace ideas that unify us for the greater good. Let’s not forget the freedoms that Penn outlined in his Charter of Privileges to ensure a free society. #liberty #libertybell #freedom #unity #independencehall Source: constitutioncenter.org, ushistory.org, firstamendment.mtsu.edu

Check out the latest episode of WonkyFolk featuring a conversation with Nina Rees, outgoing CEO of the National Alliance For Public Charter Schools. Jed Wallace and I discuss Nina's tenure, what's next, and the sector with her. Listen now! #education #educationpolicy

What we learn here is what we're capable of in the face of the most egregious hate and laws.

Leaders from many different sectors, including government, arts, and philanthropy, come together on Jan. 30 to explore how the arts and humanities can strengthen individuals and communities. Tune in at arts.gov.