LYNN — Mayor Jared Nicholson’s office announced Wednesday that it will launch a new team designed to combat structural and institutional racism.
The Racial Equity Advisory Leadership Team spawned from the Racial Equity Municipal Action Plan, which launched last year under Mayor Tom McGee’s administration as a pilot program to address racial equity at the municipal level through community engagement and volunteer work.
Although the city has continued the REMAP program for two years, Nicholson said in a written statement that the REAL team will likely expand, adding in members of the community to voice their ideas on equity and inclusion.
“The focus of the group will be on internal change at City Hall and the goal is to expand into the community with the eventual addition of community members to the group,” Nicholson said.
Key partners from REMAP will continue to provide the city’s REAL team with ongoing guidance and technical assistance support on our racial equity efforts, Nicholson said.
The city’s diversity, equity, and inclusion officer Faustina Cuevas will lead and coordinate the group’s work, which includes developing and analyzing high-level racial equity initiatives, ideas, and strategies to make city government more inclusive and equitable for everyone.
Nicholson appointed five city officials: Public Health Nurse Jennifer Almonte, Internal Auditor Dawn Kwiatek, Personnel Director Drew Russo, Ordinance Enforcement Officer Zosia VanMeter, and Assistant City Solicitor James Wellock to serve on the team under Cuevas’ guidance.
In a written statement, Cuevas said that the team, which aims to start its work internally, adjusting the municipal government to be more inclusive and equitable, will ultimately work to help the city’s government better represent its constituents.
“REAL represents the importance of centering diversity, equity, and inclusion within city government so that we can be accountable to all members of our community,” Cuevas said.
VanMeter echoed Cuevas’ remarks when she said that the program will help shine a light on minority voices in City Hall.
“Groups like REAL are important because it reminds me and other people of color that our voices are heard in spaces where they have previously felt silenced,” she said.
Nicholson said that he’s excited to work with the group and that inclusivity is one of his top priorities as mayor.
“I’m looking forward to working with this group to see how we can make our city services and spaces more welcoming and accessible,” said Nicholson. “One of my top priorities as Mayor is to provide inclusive growth and put equity at the forefront of decision-making.”
Anthony Cammalleri can be reached at [email protected]
