The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Division works to advance the Town’s commitment to valuing equity, diversity and inclusion, and build a community where everyone is heard, respected, and protected. Diversity is rooted in building a culture of belonging. Inclusion centers and uplifts voices that have been historically silenced. Equity is about collaborative decision making, ensuring that all people have an equal say in informing the policies, practices and culture that shape their lives. 

The DEI Division is a part of the Health and Human Services Department and includes three staff members: DEI Division Director, Community Outreach and Engagement Coordinator, and ADA Coordinator.

The DEI Division coordinates and supports the work of the Human Rights Commission, LGBTQIA+ Rainbow Commission and Disability Commission; facilitates training and educational opportunities for employees; provides guidance in advancing equitable policy changes; collaborates with Town departments to promote access and equitable engagement; and delivers community programs focused in racial and social justice.

Town of Arlington Land Acknowledgment

We acknowledge that the Town of Arlington is located on the ancestral lands of the Massachusett Tribe, the tribe of Indigenous peoples from whom the Colony, Province, and Commonwealth have taken their names. We pay our respects to the ancestral bloodline of the Massachusett Tribe and their descendants who still inhabit historic Massachusett territories today.

A Guide to Indigenous Land Acknowledgement

Town Initiatives & Involvement

Community Equity Audit

Since June 2022 the Town of Arlington has been working with Opportunity Consulting to conduct a town wide community equity audit to understand barriers to access for community members and strategies to promote more equitable community engagement. Find more information about the project below:

Arlington Equity Audit 1-Pager

Arlington Equity Review Presentation

October 2022 Arlington Audit Interim Report

Arlington Report- Community Summary

Arlington Final Report-Equity Audit

Community Survey Charts

Employee Racial Equity & DEI Workshops

In 2020 the Town embarked on employee racial equity training with the National League of Cities (NLC), and is now continuing to build diversity, equity and inclusion across all town functions and departments, in partnership with Strategy Matters. All town employees will be working with Strategy Matters to collaboratively design a process which offers employees (individually and collectively) a transformational and personal experience leading to changes in
the way that they work and ultimately, in the way that the Town conducts and manages its business on behalf of the public. Find more information about the process and workshops below:

Strategy Matters Workplan

Town of Arlington DEI Workshops Overview

Town of Arlington DEI Workshops Final Report

The Town of Arlington is a member of the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE), a national network of governments working to achieve racial equity and advance opportunities for all. Additionally the Town is a member of the Massachusetts DEI Coalition,  and has membership in the Mystic Valley NAACP Branch, and a partner of CORE (Coalition of Racial Equity) in Mental Health, which works to promote healthier communities, advance racial equity, and foster community engagement.

• GARE

• Racial Equity Resources through CORE

• NAACP Local Mystic Valley Area Branch

• MA DEI Coalition Guide

• Arlington Black Joy Project

Commissions

Arlington Human Rights Commission

• Report an Incident: Discrimination Complaint Form

LGBTQIA+ Rainbow Commission
Disability Commission

• ADA Grievance Procedure
• ADA Complaint Form

Resources

DEI Matters

21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge

Guide To Allyship