Race Relations & Social Justice

The City of Seattle is becoming increasingly diverse. A primary challenge of this diversity is the ongoing struggle to create a community where all people are valued, regardless of their background. Mayor Nickels' Race and Social Justice Initiative seeks to reduce disproportionality in economic opportunity, education, civic engagement, and other areas, and to make City services more relevant to Seattle's diverse populations.

The Department of Neighborhoods, with deep connections throughout Seattle's diverse communities, plays an important role in implementing the Mayor's initiative. DON is improving economic opportunity by working closely with neighborhood businesses and chambers of commerce to enhance the vitality of our small business districts.

Within the Department of Neighborhoods, the Office for Education works diligently to reduce the achievement gap in Seattle schools. This office administers the Families and Education Levy, which funds a wide array of programs and services designed to increase students' readiness for school, support at-risk children, and link communities, schools and families.

The Department of Neighborhoods is involved in a variety of efforts to promote more inclusive civic engagement. Involving All Neighbors promotes neighborhood involvement by people with disabilities. DON staff are working with Seattle's thirteen neighborhood District Councils to broaden participation and diversify membership. District Councils throughout the city are welcoming new members representing immigrants, youth, seniors, and low income residents.

The Neighborhood Matching Fund provides resources that build community and enhance City services throughout Seattle's diverse populations. The Fund's Race and Social Justice Project specifically provides grants for community groups working to promote multicultural understanding and reduce racial disproportionality in areas such as education, health and public safety.

The Department of Neighborhoods is committed to improving race relations and advancing social justice in all of Seattle's neighborhoods. The department's Race Relations/Social Justice Change Team helps guide Neighborhoods' ongoing efforts toward this goal. The Change Team sponsors a variety of opportunities for staff to deepen their understanding of these issues and improve their effectiveness in reaching out to Seattle's diverse communities and providing excellent customer service to residents throughout the city.