Permanent Salem Race Equity Commission Proposed

SALEM, MA — A Race Equity Commission would become permanent in Salem under a proposed measure filed to the City Council.

Mayor Kim Driscoll and Race Equity Task Force Chair Shawn Newton filed the measure on Tuesday that proposes a seven-member commission under the direction of the city's new Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion — a position the City Council approved last week.

Under the proposal, the commission will be charged with implementing elements of the city's Race Equity Action Plan and updating the plan as needed, advising departments and officials on devising city budgets and policies that avoid systemic racism and bias, developing initiatives that reduce racism and bias in the city, designing hiring and recruitment policies that promote diversity, supporting community organizations and seeking out grants and resources to carry out the commission's work.

Driscoll said the report of the original version of the Race Equity Task Force, which has been meeting regularly for the past year, will be issued in the coming days.

"That work, however, does not come to an end just because the task force is reaching the end of its process," Driscoll said. "The proposed commission, in combination with the new Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, is intended to carry on this important work in the years to come, to ensure Salem only strengthens our commitment to being a city that works for and welcomes everyone."

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)