Title
Briefing on the Experiences of Discrimination in Olympia Report
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
The Community Livability and Public Safety Committee recommends receiving a briefing of the Experiences of Discrimination in Olympia report.
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive a briefing on the Experiences of Discrimination Report.
Report
Issue:
Whether to receive a briefing on the Experiences of discrimination in Olympia report.
Staff Contact:
Tobi Hill-Meyer, Social Justice and Equity Program Manager, 360.753.8285
Presenter(s):
Tobi Hill-Meyer, Social Justice and Equity Program Manager
Yien Wang Folino, Managing Principal, Truclusion
Dane Wolfrom, Senior Manager, Truclusion
Dr Ashley Gardner, Principal Researcher, Truclusion
Background and Analysis:
The City Council established the Social Justice and Equity Commission in 2021. The stated purpose of the Commission is to "eliminate racism and fulfill human rights for a just and equitable Olympia for all people." The Commission initially explored receiving, mediating, and investigating discrimination complaints to provide administrative and/or judicial remedies. Staff learned that the authority to do this work is reserved by state law for specific municipalities with a population over 125,000, which excludes the City of Olympia.
In 2023, the Social Justice and Equity Commission worked with City staff, to assess discrimination occurring in Olympia. The purpose of the assessment was to better understand occurrences of discrimination from the perspective of Olympia community members who experience it, so that the findings can inform the Commission's work in advising the City Council on to address discrimination in our community.
The Experiences of Discrimination in Olympia Report was completed by Truclusion which is the result of a survey and series of interviews conducted over the spring and summer of 2023. The survey included approximately 2,000 respondents and over 60 follow up intervi...
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