TACOMA, Wash. – Today (July 23, 2024), during the City Council study session, the City of Tacoma’s Office of Strategy presented a collection of case studies showcasing the City of Tacoma’s successes and positive progress with a tool it developed and launched in 2018 called the Equity Index. The collection – entitled “Equity in Action: Tacoma Equity Index Case Studies, Using Data to Operationalize Equity and Transition into an Antiracist City” – features 21 examples of how the City of Tacoma and its community partners have utilized the Equity Index to make intentional, data-informed decisions supporting more equitable outcomes in Tacoma’s diverse communities. The collection was designed to be a resource for City of Tacoma departments, as well as other jurisdictions, community partners, and civic leaders across the nation, in their ongoing work to increase equity and opportunity for historically marginalized communities.
“Today has been incredibly inspiring. I hope these case studies motivate all of us here in Tacoma to make greater use of the Equity Index for the betterment of our residents,” said Mayor Victoria Woodards. “Additionally, I hope this collection will serve as a valuable playbook for others engaged in similar work. In my conversations with other leaders across the nation, I have heard a need for adaptable and scalable equity strategies for their own communities. This collection demonstrates how the City of Tacoma and its community partners are advancing Tacoma’s shared objectives and experiences with others to expand these efforts.”
Today’s presentation also included updates on several technical improvements to the Equity Index, including new data sets and a faster, more intuitive user experience.
“This collection of case studies showcases how City departments have integrated the Equity Index into their daily work, and it provides inspiration for how we can continue to expand the use of this tool while striving to achieve the goals established by the City Council and the Tacoma 2025 strategic plan,” said City Manager Elizabeth Pauli. “Our collective efforts to refine the Equity Index since it was established have significantly contributed to the City of Tacoma’s progress in addressing inequities.”
In May 2024, New Growth Innovation Network (NGIN) recognized the Equity Index with the Luminary Award at its biennial Cityscapes Summit. The Luminary Award recognizes projects and initiatives that advance inclusive economic growth and bring visibility to marginalized communities.
“The City of Tacoma’s Equity Index, with its profound impact on its decision-making processes, has stood out among the nominations received from NGIN advisors,” said NGIN Inclusive Economic Development Advisor Betsey Suchanic. “The City’s dedication to formalizing equity in decision-making, as evidenced by its integration into City legislation, is commendable.”
About the Equity Index
The Equity Index is an interactive mapping tool developed and launched in 2018 by the City of Tacoma that visually highlights levels of access to opportunity across Tacoma using 34 indicators under the categories of livability, accessibility, economy, education, and environmental health. Additional information about the Equity Index, including links to the case study collection and the case study story map, are available at cityoftacoma.org/equityindex. Community members with questions about the Equity Index can contact the City’s Strategic Initiatives Coordinator Chelsea Talbert at ctalbert@cityoftacoma.org or (253) 337-7066.
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