Racial injustice in America has brokered a progression of suffering over generations within the Black community. It has been at times blatant and at times subdued, always painful and destructive.

It is time for us to understand that we can no longer just look away. Local leaders and officials of all races, creeds, and color must come together to support racial equality for Black Americans, as well as communities across all marginalized identities.

Abolishing systemic oppression and protecting and elevating our most vulnerable populations need your anger, your outrage, and, above all else, your action.

Our mission at Local Government Academy is to Promote Excellence in Local Government, but we will fail if we do not ourselves ask questions with the purpose to listen, learn, and take meaningful action. It is imperative that we keep asking questions, keep our ears and our hearts open, and keep seeking truth within both these complicated times and ourselves.

However, asking questions and having honest conversations is often uncomfortable, and we tend not to delve too deeply in difficult subjects. Understanding that ongoing racism has crippled lives and communities, we have been asking, “What is our role, how will Local Government Academy take action?”

The conversations we have had thus far illustrate the importance of continual learning and the need for well-informed leaders who understand the role that local government plays in bettering the lives of all residents. We have listened to local government officials and employees to understand the challenges they were facing and learn what questions they wanted answered. From this, we formed a partnership with the Allegheny League of Municipalities and created our Summer Workshop Series, which offers a free professional development opportunity for local officials and municipal staff with focuses in two areas: Finance and Human Resource Management.

Understanding that our nation is looking for change and asking difficult questions, we are reimagining our Contemplating Governing course. Local government officials are public servants and should aspire to the higher purpose to represent ALL not just one. Coming the Fall, this course will help citizens understand what they need to do to run for office and the legal and ethical obligations of a public official. Our goal? To increase participation in the democratic process in our communities, raise awareness of the responsibilities of public officials, and position leaders to affect positive change.

We are constantly challenging ourselves to do better because we must. Please join us in that effort by asking yourself, “What can I do to learn more, be better, and take action?” Share your thoughts, your concerns, your questions with us by emailing us at [email protected] or by calling me at 412-357-6449.

Take care of each other.

Gratitude,

– Joy