REDI on a roll
The Richmond Equitable Development Initiative (REDI) has been in high gear this year as it continues to campaign to influence Richmond’s General Plan revision process. REDI is a collaborative including Contra Costa Faith Works, Urban Habitat, UC Berkeley and East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy (EBASE). REDI has brought on base building partners including APEN, ACORN, CBE and the Ma’at Youth Academy to advocate for the incorporation of equitable development principles and polices in land use, housing, transportation, economic development and health in Richmond’s general plan.
REDI is currently in the crucial process of finalizing policy recommendations and working with community leaders from the base building organizations to prioritize the policies that they will actively advocate for inclusion in the general plan. Over the next few months, the REDI will continue to participate and provide meaningful community engagement in the City’s general plan revision process.
In February, the Equitable Development Institute was launched for members of the base building organizations and thus far has included workshops on General Plan 101, Land Use 101, economic development, land use, transportation, housing and health. The three month institute is being held in four languages for participants ranging in age from 13 – 70. Participants will walk away from these trainings with a deeper understanding of equitable development, stronger relationships with other communities in Richmond fighting for equity, and policy recommendations for the city’s General Plan.
In April, the Equitable Development Institute for Richmond elected officials and staff will begin monthly workshops that look at how equitable development relates to pertinent issues occurring in Richmond with a goal of building partnerships with decision makers and defining with them a common definition and understanding of how equitable development fits in Richmond.
REDI is also engaged in the process of building support from other Richmond community-based organizations who also want to ensure that Richmond’s general plan reflects the interests of low-income and people of color communities. REDI’s outreach efforts have included meeting with city officials to educate them on REDI and will continue throughout the spring with community leaders sharing their personal stories and specific policy recommendations with decision makers. REDI’s efforts were recently highlighted in Mayor of Richmond Gayle McLaughlin’s remarks as an initiative that the city should support. REDI hopes to continue building momentum in policy, advocacy and coalition building that supports equitable development in Richmond.
For more information on REDI, please contact Campaign Coordinator, Sheryl Lane or visit the website www.urbanhabitat.org/richmond.
REDI is currently in the crucial process of finalizing policy recommendations and working with community leaders from the base building organizations to prioritize the policies that they will actively advocate for inclusion in the general plan. Over the next few months, the REDI will continue to participate and provide meaningful community engagement in the City’s general plan revision process.
In February, the Equitable Development Institute was launched for members of the base building organizations and thus far has included workshops on General Plan 101, Land Use 101, economic development, land use, transportation, housing and health. The three month institute is being held in four languages for participants ranging in age from 13 – 70. Participants will walk away from these trainings with a deeper understanding of equitable development, stronger relationships with other communities in Richmond fighting for equity, and policy recommendations for the city’s General Plan.
In April, the Equitable Development Institute for Richmond elected officials and staff will begin monthly workshops that look at how equitable development relates to pertinent issues occurring in Richmond with a goal of building partnerships with decision makers and defining with them a common definition and understanding of how equitable development fits in Richmond.
For more information on REDI, please contact Campaign Coordinator, Sheryl Lane or visit the website www.urbanhabitat.org/richmond.
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