Alexandria has appointed its first Race and Social Equity Officer, Jaqueline Tucker.
Tucker will direct the city’s race and social equity programs and build a framework for policies that help eliminate racial and social inequality, according to a press release from the city.
“Jaqueline is an innovative, compassionate, inclusive leader,” said City Manager Mark Jinks. “Through her dedication to civic engagement, law and policy, and her experience working with all levels of government, she has demonstrated the mindset and skills integral to helping our community make progress toward meaningful equity.”
Tucker was previously a manager for the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE), a coalition of local governments working together on racial equity. Alexandria joined the group earlier this year.
I am just so very grateful and full. Our movement is growing, healing, and learning just how our ancestors dreamed. #Forward
— Jaqueline Tucker, Esq. (@EquityEsq) December 18, 2019
According to the press release:
At GARE, Tucker developed relationships with government leaders and staff to analyze policies and practices through a racial equity lens. She also provided technical assistance and coaching to local, state and regional governments from Virginia to Maine, on capacity-building mechanisms for policy intervention, organizational transformation and strategy development on the issue of race and social equity. Tucker was instrumental in planning and convening the first-ever, metropolitan Washington, D.C. regional learning cohort of local government staff to advance racial equity and opportunities for all, a partnership with the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and GARE.
Tucker is scheduled to start work on Feb. 10.
The appointment was already met with enthusiastic support from Councilman John Chapman on Twitter.
Yes, yes, yes! Thanks to both staff and advocacy groups for pushing for the creation of this position! https://t.co/v0Cf7eTzUa
— John Taylor Chapman (@j_chapman99) December 18, 2019
Photo via City of Alexandria
