Agenda

Return

D.4

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Supervisors John Gioia and Federal D. Glover
Date:	June 22, 2021

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Update on Community Process and Listening Sessions to Establish an Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 06/22/2021

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

L. DeLaney, 925-655-2057

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: June 22, 2021
Monica Nino, County Administrator

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

RECEIVE update on the Community Planning Process for the establishment of a Contra Costa County Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice.

FISCAL IMPACT:

No fiscal impact related to the status report.

BACKGROUND:

On November 10, 2020, the Board of Supervisors accepted the concept proposal by Supervisors Federal Glover and John Gioia to establish a Contra Costa County Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice. The Board also authorized the immediate launch of a Community Planning Process consistent with the Proposed Community Planning Process Document presented to the Board of Supervisors. This process is being funded by foundations and businesses.

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

A PowerPoint slide deck of the full presentation is attached to this Board Order.

The community engagement and planning process for the Contra Costa County Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice (ORESJ) has developed and proceeded at a “righteous and reparative pace” since its launch in the fall of 2020, creating a sense of urgency for change, showing up with insistence and hope, lifting up the voices and experiences of BIPOC residents and communities, and remaining focused, in the presence of pain and struggle, on liberation and justice for all.

At the onset, a design process, organizational efforts, and trainings were undertaken. A “Host Table” of community and resident leaders was established. Regular meetings of the Host Table and working group committees were held.

The process is currently in the midst of a Listening Campaign, with more than 34 Listening Sessions already conducted (including two for County employees) and engaging more than 350 participants thus far.

An “inquiry process,” the Listening Campaign is a central and critical element of the community engagement process, with Host Table members serving as ambassadors, co-hosts and co-facilitators of listening sessions, town halls, individual interviews, open mics, online participation, and truth forums. The Listening Campaign is centered on the voices and experiences of BIPOC residents and communities talking about individual or witnessed experiences of racism, harm, and inequities in Contra Costa County, as well as the needs and priorities for the Office. The learnings and findings will inform a report and plan that will be submitted to the Board of Supervisors. Members of the Core Committee will share updates and emergent learnings at the June 22, 2021 Board of Supervisors meeting.

Other important initiatives underway include the development of a project website (www.cccoresj.org) and the release of a Request for Interest (RFI), issued on May 14, 2021, seeking qualified candidates to provide project management/technical assistance to the Core Committee in the next phase of work.

A Spanish language translation of the Board Order and PowerPoint presentation can be found here.