The Georgia Municipal Association recently partnered with Georgia Public Broadcasting to present a town hall: “Cities United: The Road to Equity and Inclusion.” This event features four mayors from cities across Georgia to begin a statewide conversation on race, equity and inclusion, how these issues impact Georgia’s communities, and why and how city officials can make equity a priority in their communities.
Watch the "Cities United: The Road to Equity and Inclusion" town hall
The panelists are:
- Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms
- LaGrange Mayor Jim Thornton, Co-chair, GMA Equity and Inclusion Commission
- Augusta Mayor Hardie Davis, Co-chair, GMA Equity and Inclusion Commission
- Macon-Bibb Mayor Robert Reichert
- With special remarks from Calvin Smyre, Georgia House of Representatives
The mayors address several issues and answer questions submitted from Georgia elected officials, including their thoughts on greatest barriers to equity and inclusion and what they are doing in their cities and communities to address them. The panel also provides insight into specific community and law enforcement trust-building initiatives each participant has introduced. Drawing on their experiences as leaders, the mayors outline tangible steps for cities regarding equity and race conversations and how to use their platforms of influence to effect positive change. Additionally, the panelists provide advice on measures elected officials can take to ensure city leadership best resembles the communities and citizens they serve.