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City of Melrose Enters Next Phase of DEI Work, Employees to Take Foundational DEI Training

During the training, the Library, HHS Department, and DPW Offices at the City Yard will be temporarily closed on Wednesday, September 27.
Posted on: September 26, 2023 - 6:00pm
City of Melrose Enters Next Phase of DEI Work, Employees to Take Foundational DEI Training

As part of the City of Melrose's ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), City employees will participate in a Foundational DEI Training on Wednesday, September 27. The City’s DEI Consultant, Racial Equity Group, will facilitate this training as part of a series of five DEI training courses for City employees.

To ensure all staff can attend the training, many City departments will be lightly staffed, and the following City offices will be closed:

  • The Melrose Public Library, from 9:45 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.
  • The Department of Public Work Offices at the City Yard, from 9:45 a.m. until 12:15 p.m.
  • The Health and Human Services (HHS) Department, from 9:45 a.m. until 12:15 p.m.

The training, “Bigger than Racism: Understanding Racialization and Structural Advantage,” aims to help the City’s employees understand:

  • the persistence of inequities throughout the Commonwealth;
  • identify why disparities persist across race, gender, and other historically excluded groups;
  • gain awareness of how racialization produces and sustains racial inequities without racism; and
  • identify the mechanisms of structural advantage that reproduce inequities within City government, including hiring, promotions, compensation, retention, service delivery and programs, purchasing and procurement, and community engagement.

“DEI training is essential for organizations and the City of Melrose is excited to embark on this next step in our journey toward becoming a more inclusive employer,” said Mayor Brodeur. “We’re thankful to our consultant, the Racial Equity Group, and our Human Resources Department for facilitating this foundational training. I look forward to building our capacity for ensuring all members of the Melrose community have equitable access to services and opportunities to participate in the civic life of the City.”

The DEI training courses are the next step in implementing the recommendations outlined in the City’s 2022 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Assessment and Racial Climate Survey. Through the training series, the City seeks to empower employees to recognize, respect, and value the differences that lead to innovative approaches and diverse thought and to develop skills to address problems and challenging situations, with the goal of sustaining a lasting shift in culture.

For more information on the City’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, visit www.cityofmelrose.org/mayor/pages/dei-initiatives-date.