Mayor Tim Keller Recognizes National Day of Racial Healing in Albuquerque
January 22, 2019
Today, Mayor Tim Keller joined other leaders across the country by proclaiming January 22, 2019 as “National Day of Racial Healing” in Albuquerque. At a planning meeting with community members today, the City of Albuquerque’s Office of Equity and Inclusion announced it will host a racial healing community event for the public in February as well as begin providing racial equity training to city employees in March.
“We’re championing Albuquerque’s diversity and multicultural roots because it helps makes our city stronger,” said Mayor Keller. “As a city government, we’re stepping up to ensure that all of our residents are respected and protected. We’re weaving equity into our work including community policing, building an economy that works for everyone, and expanding access to programs for kids. With our Office of Equity and Inclusion and the support of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, our City is becoming a national leader in these efforts.”
The Office of Equity and Inclusion, headed by Michelle Melendez, marked the National Day of Racial Healing by holding a planning meeting with community leaders to chart the course for anti-racism efforts over the coming year. At the event, the administration announced it will host a racial healing community event open to the public in February. The Mayor has also directed the Office of Equity and Inclusion to provide racial equity training to city employees beginning in March.
“The work of racial healing and racial equity is an important journey for all of us, said Frank López, director of New Mexico programs at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. “I applaud the City of Albuquerque for embarking on this journey that will have a positive and profound impact on the entire state of New Mexico. Together, we remain steadfast in our commitment to honor our cultures and create equitable communities in which all children and families can thrive.”
The National Day of Racial Healing is a part of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation effort – a national, community-based process of transformative, sustainable change, addressing the historic and contemporary effects of racism.
“Albuquerque has always been a cultural crossroads, where genius flourishes, and is growing more diverse by the day,” said Melendez. “With the leadership and support we now have in place, we are truly capable of setting the example as a city where diverse ideas and ways of looking at the world prove to be what saves us and makes us thrive.”
Follow the conversation on healing using the hashtag #HowWeHeal. To learn more about the National Day of Racial Healing and resources for how to start a conversation, visit dayofracialhealing.org.