Office of Black Community Engagement Reflects on First Year

The City of Albuquerque’s Office of Black Community Engagement (OBCE) released its First-Year Reflections Report today. This report is a detailed narrative of outreach efforts, community survey results, data on Black communities in Albuquerque and next steps for the office.

The OBCE was established in 2020 by Mayor Tim Keller and is committed to advancing local Black communities by influencing policy, unifying and amplifying the diversity of black voices within the city of Albuquerque. Over the past year, the office has focused on partnering with various City departments and discovering what resources can be leveraged for Black communities.

The First Year Reflections Report highlights outreach efforts over the past year, which include hosting over 100 meetings with local leaders and community members, 26 community events, 10 workshops, attending over 50 community events and completing the community input survey. The 501 residents participated in a community input survey, of which 89% identified as Black. Also included in the report is pertinent data on the Black population and an economic profile of the Black communities of Albuquerque.

“I am proud to present the community with a detailed report of what our office has accomplished in the first year,” said African American Community and Business Liaison Nichole Rogers. “This report helps paint the big-picture of the disparities Black communities in Albuquerque face and how our office can work to leverage key city resources. The report will help to inform our strategic planning process going forward so we can begin to heal and unify.”

In identifying the next steps, Rogers looks forward to developing a Strategic Planning Team that can help provide guidance and recommendations on the issues facing Black communities in Albuquerque. If you are interested in serving on this team, please reach out to Nichole Rogers directly via email at [email protected].