Executive Order 6-23 commits the City of Philadelphia to action planning and budgeting
PHILADELPHIA–Mayor Kenney signed an Executive Order today that deepens Philadelphia’s commitment to racial equity. Executive Order 6-23 commits the City to annual racial equity action planning, budgeting for racial equity, and public reporting—which includes designating staff and support resources to these efforts.
Executive Order 6-23 builds upon the work done under Executive Order No. 1-20, which Mayor Kenney signed in January 2020. Among other work, the earlier order established a Citywide Racial Equity Strategy, which required all departments to create initial Racial Equity Action Plans by the end of 2023.
Executive Order 6-23 sets forth a vision for the next phase of the City’s Racial Equity Strategy.
Executive Order 6-23 includes four key elements, details of which are included below:
- Committing to annual racial equity action planning and budgeting for racial equity
- Formally establishing the City’s Racial Equity Community of Practice
- Creating department-specific and citywide racial equity performance measures
- Empowering all City departments to designate a Racial Equity Manager
“During my administration, we have focused on embedding racial equity into all aspects of City government including our programs and services, our employees, and our annual budget,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “I am proud that over the last three years, we have ushered all City departments through an initial Racial Equity Planning Process. And with this Executive Order, they will continue to create new strategies annually, invest resources in those strategies through the budget process, and report publicly about their progress.”
“This is an important day for Philadelphia,” says Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer Josie B. H. Pickens. “This Executive Order signals that racial equity is not a one-time effort for us. We are committed to racial equity every day and for as long as it takes to close race-based disparities in our city.”
“With this Executive Order, we are not just making a statement; we are allocating new resources and making racial equity every department’s responsibility. By formalizing a dedicated Racial Equity Community of Practice, we are fostering a supportive environment for our employees tasked with addressing racial equity challenges,” said Director of Racial Equity Policy & Practice Télyse Masaoay. “This initiative embodies our commitment to tangible action, so that we actively work towards a more just and equitable future for all.”
Details of Executive Order 6-23
Committing to Annual Racial Equity Action Planning and Budgeting for Racial Equity
All City departments have created initial Racial Equity Action Plans under Executive Order 1-20, and updates to these initial plans are available at the City’s Racial Equity Strategy Dashboard. In recognition that Racial Equity Action Planning is not a one-time event, this executive order requires all City departments to review and update their Racial Equity Action Plans annually.
The executive order also makes the existing Budgeting for Racial Equity initiative a regular part of how we plan our City’s budget each year. This means all City departments will be required to explain how their annual budget choices will affect racial equity in Philadelphia. City departments will be supported in this process by the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the Budget Office.
Formally establishing the City’s Racial Equity Community of Practice
The executive order establishes a Racial Equity Community of Practice within the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. This group is run by a team of City employees committed to racial equity, and it is available for City employees to join. The Racial Equity Community of Practice will offer professional development and training on racial equity, coach and support departments in implementing their Racial Equity Action Plans, and give advice to top leaders in the City about strategies for advancing racial equity.
Creating department-specific and citywide racial equity performance measures
By July 2024, the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will create a plan to track the city’s racial equity progress through performance measures at the city-level and department-level.
Empowering all City departments to designate a Racial Equity Manager
The Executive Order directs all City departments to designate a Racial Equity Manager to guide their Racial Equity Action Planning, implementation, and budgeting.