Conference for govt. officials aims to spur racial equity

The day-long Governing for Racial Equity Conference, open to all government employees and officials, is set to take place from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20, at McCaw Hall in Seattle.

The conference is an opportunity to deepen skills in promoting inclusion, diversity and racial justice and to build Western's ability to address racial equity. It's being hosted by the City of Seattle Race and Social Justice Initiative.

The event will include plenary sessions and workshops covering a broad array of topics, including:

• Best practices to address institutional racism.
• Promoting equity in contracting and hiring practices.
• Strategies for inclusive outreach and public engagement for communities of color and immigrants and refugees.
• Applying a racial equity tool to budget and policy decisions.
• Measuring and assessing racial equity outcomes.
• Creating government partnerships to address racial equity with community, other institutions and philanthropy.

Registration is $50 and includes lunch. Visit http://www.seattle.gov/rsji/ to reserve space.