North Austin News

The City of Austin's Equity Office is hosting their Annual Forum titled "Another World is Possible" on January 27, 2024. The forum aims to bring together members of the community, organizers, and City employees to discuss and strategize for a more equitable future for all Austinites. The event will take place at Vuka North Lamar and will run from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The City's Equity Office, in collaboration with various local organizations, is dedicated to promoting racial equity in and around Austin. The forum will serve as a platform to showcase the initiatives and efforts being made by these organizations and the City's Equity Office. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in conversations about equity-related issues and initiatives and to learn how the GARE Framework (Government Alliance on Race and Equity) is utilized by the City's Equity Office and other organizations to promote equity in the community.

The forum will feature a panel of community leaders and organizations, including 2024 Texas Poet Laureate, Amanda Johnston, Rhys Caraway from Allgo, Rebecca Sanchez from Community Powered ATX, and La'arni Ayuma from Ayuma Healing Arts. Panel discussions will cover a range of topics, such as community organizing strategies, art as resistance, immigrant rights, and equitable land-use policies for Austinites.

In addition to panel discussions, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in art activation activities, including screen printing and a collaging/visioning activity. These activities aim to engage attendees in the City's budgeting process and encourage them to get involved in shaping the future of Austin.

To ensure accessibility, ASL and Spanish interpretations will be available throughout the forum. Complimentary breakfast and lunch will also be provided. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own reusable water bottles and are invited to contribute items such as photos, drawings, or mementos to a community altar, which aims to honor and uplift ancestors and loved ones.

Space for the forum is limited to 175 participants, so early registration is encouraged. Interested individuals can register at bit.ly/equityforum2024. More information about the Equity Forum, including details about speakers, panelists, and the program, can be found at https://www.austintexas.gov/page/equity-forum.

For any further inquiries about the forum, Ayshea Khan, Equity Office Program Coordinator, can be contacted at (512) 974-9124 or ayshea.khan@austintexas.gov.

The City of Austin's Equity Office is committed to improving the quality of life for all Austinites by promoting equity and fostering a culture of inclusion. They work closely with City departments, as well as institutions, non-profits, and community organizations, to ensure that equity is at the forefront of decision-making processes.

To learn more about the Equity Office and their initiatives, visit their website at https://www.austintexas.gov/department/equity. Additionally, more information about the GARE Framework, which is used by the Equity Office to operationalize racial equity, can be found at https://www.racialequityalliance.org/.

Let's come together at the Equity Forum and envision a world where many worlds can thrive.