DC Office of Racial Equity

Last week, the Mayor’s Office of Racial Equity convened residents, agency partners, Advisory Board members, and community leaders at Bard High School Early College DC for our REAP 2.0 Community Forum as we continue shaping the District’s next Racial Equity Action Plan for FY27 through FY29.

The conversation brought together residents, the Office of the City Administrator, and members of our team to discuss how we move from planning to measurable impact across DC communities.

Special thanks to City Administrator Kevin Donahue for joining the conversation, Ward 8 State Board of Education Representative Dr. LaJoy Johnson-Law for her continued leadership and advocacy, and the Youth Entrepreneur Institute for partnering with us to help support and elevate this important community dialogue.

We also appreciate the Advisory Board members who joined us in community and continue to help strengthen and guide this work across the District.

Community voice remains essential as we build the next phase of this work together.

Yesterday marked the grand opening of the Faunteroy Center & Resilience Incubator, the first resilience hub in Washington, DC.

This space is more than infrastructure. It is a powerful example of what meaningful community engagement, sustained partnership, and long term investment can produce when community voice is centered from the beginning.

The Mayor’s Office of Racial Equity was honored to join residents, agency partners, and community leaders for this milestone moment, alongside leadership from the Department of Energy & Environment and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning & Economic Development.

A special acknowledgment was also given to Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton for her advocacy in helping ensure federal dollars flowed to the center.

We also want to recognize Allyson Criner Brown from our team, whose leadership was instrumental in facilitating the relationship between ORE and the Faunteroy Center.

The Faunteroy Center reflects what becomes possible when equity is operationalized through partnership, accountability, and sustained investment in community.

Congratulations to the residents of Ward 7, Dr. Estelle Montgomery, and everyone who helped bring this vision to life.

EquityInAction

On April 29th, the Mayor’s Office of Racial Equity testified before the Council of the District of Columbia Committee on Executive Administration and Labor as part of the budget oversight process.

As part of the Office of the City Administrator panel, ORE supported testimony and shared updates on the implementation of the Racial Equity Action Plan, including ongoing efforts to strengthen how agencies use data, training, and policy to improve outcomes for District residents.

District residents, we want to hear from you.

Join the Mayor’s Office of Racial Equity for the REAP 2.0 Community Engagement Forum and help shape the next phase of the District’s Racial Equity Action Plan.

During this forum, you’ll have the opportunity to engage with the ORE team, provide input on priorities, hear from DC students, and help inform the 2027–2030 REAP.

🗓 Tuesday, May 19
🕕 6:00–7:30 PM
📍 Bard High School Early College DC
🚇 Congress Heights Metro

Light refreshments will be provided.

Your voice matters in this work.

From U Street to Anacostia, Black history is woven into every block of D.C. — a city built on Black resilience, brilliance, and leadership. This , we honor the legacy that shaped the District and the movement driving it forward.

📍 Bard High School Early College | Washington, DC
🧠💡 Youth Entrepreneur Institute

This week, ORE had the privilege of visiting Bard High School and engaging with the brilliant students at the Youth Entrepreneur Institute — a dynamic program dedicated to equipping young people with the tools to build, launch, and grow their own businesses.

The Institute’s motto — “Putting Poverty Out of Business” — aligns powerfully with our mission to disrupt structural inequities and create pathways for racial and economic justice in DC.

We witnessed first-hand how these young visionaries are turning creativity into commerce, and ideas into impact — all while centering community, ownership, and self-determination. From product development to financial literacy and branding, these students are being trained not just to participate in the economy, but to reshape it.

🌟 Investing in youth entrepreneurship isn’t just about jobs — it’s about justice. It’s about shifting power.

Together, we’re building a DC where racial equity isn’t an aspiration — it’s the standard.

Today’s visit to the with Dr. Estelle Montgomery reminded me that real equity work starts with community, not for it. Proud to highlight how DC Government partners with local leaders to build trust and lasting change. 🎥: Government Alliance on Race and Equity

would like to congratulate our MBSYEP summer students, Miles and Ariel, on the successful completion of their internship. Over the past 6 weeks, students embarked on an intensive journey to explore the intersection of equity, policy, and community engagement. Through a mix of interactive meetings, independent assignments, and real-world exposure, they developed an understanding of public service and ORE’s mission. We appreciate your contributions to our office and we wish you all the best in your future endeavors! 🎉🥳👏🏽

would like to congratulate our MBSYEP summer students, Miles and Ariel, on the successful completion of their internship. Over the past 6 weeks, students embarked on an intensive journey to explore the intersection of equity, policy, and community engagement. Through a mix of interactive meetings, independent assignments, and real-world exposure, they developed an understanding of public service and ORE’s mission. We appreciate your contributions to our office and we wish you all the best in your future endeavors!

🔔➡️ was excited to host a community meeting, where we were joined by ORE Advisory Board members, stakeholders, community residents, and District Government colleagues! The engagement session updated attendees on the progress the District has made through ORE’s action plan which was officially launched in early 2024.
Participants also had the opportunity to reflect, ask questions, and contribute ideas, which will help to inform ORE’s efforts as we continue to create an equitable and inclusive future for all! Thank you for a meaningful conversation and we look forward to continuing to work together to improve the lives of all Washingtonians!

is excited to host interns this summer. Meet Ariel Bethune! Ariel is a rising 10th grader at DC International Middle/High School, a school offering an International Baccalaureate (IB) program where she continues to learn Mandarin. Ariel is not only a student, but also an athlete.  She is a 7-time national champion competitive cheerleader and has been competing since the age of four. Thank you Ariel for your contributions to our team thus far!