In the City’s first weekly meeting after the murder of George Floyd in May 2020, Dennis instructed every department head to put greater emphasis in their budgets and activities on equity and inclusion initiatives.
On the City’s website, is a description of some of the initiatives we’ve undertaken. The City tracks its progress on improving equity and inclusion under the organizational values adopted by the Mayor and Common Council in their equity and inclusion statement and strategic plan: addressing housing needs; supporting minority-owned businesses; evolving police services; accessibility for persons with disabilities; enhancing city communications; and diversifying our workforce.
Here are just a few of the City’s equity initiatives since Dennis became Mayor:
- The Health Department declared racism a public health emergency.
- The City joined, and participates in, the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE).
- The City increased implicit bias training for all City employees and elected officials.
- We adopted the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce’s pledge to “Make Milwaukee a Region of Choice,” promising to increase diverse management by 25% and diverse employment by 15% by 2025. Wauwatosa was the first municipality to join this effort, and has met its interim goals.
- The City hired an Organizational Development Specialist to oversee culture, training, and other equity and inclusion initiatives.
- The Health Department hired a social worker, a substance use specialist, and a youth social worker to address specific challenges in underserved populations in our community.
- The Common Council adopted a “Zone Tosa for All” recommendation to ensure reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities, as well as other recommendations intended to make it easier for small businesses (many of them minority-owned) to work through government processes.
- The City declared Juneteenth Day a paid holiday for its employees.
- The Library no longer collects overdue fines. Fines do not improve return rates, and the American Library Association states that fines pose a barrier to access of library materials and services.
- The Purchasing Department tracks and evaluates its spending with businesses owned by women, minority members, veterans, and members of the LGBTQ community.
- The Development Department has updated zoning code and housing policies to allow for more housing options, encouraged investment in inclusive and affordable housing, and revised the City’s economic development policy to advance housing access.
In 2022 the City allocated $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to equity services.
Dennis also supported the exciting new Moss Universal Park on Wisconsin Avenue, which will provide new recreation activities for people with disabilities.
