Experience Eagan story, Dec. 2022–Jan. 2023 issue

Many organizations and groups have dug into diversity, equity, and inclusion work in the last few years, and many people are familiar with its acronym: DEI. Meanwhile, the City of Eagan is bringing focus and a citywide initiative to race equity and inclusion, or REI. A natural question follows: Why is Eagan focused on REI, not DEI?

“We want to ensure that Eagan is a diverse community where race is not a factor in how well anyone thrives,” City Administrator Dianne Miller says. “We focus on race because we know racial inequity has impacted people and communities throughout our nation’s history. It’s important to be specific about race inequity in order to overcome it.”

Our path to REI

In 2017, nine Eagan staff members took part in a yearlong training through the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE) to advance racial equity in the City. That effort developed into an internal Race Equity and Inclusion committee that focused on education, trainings, inclusive practices, and cultural issues’ visibility. The committee also helped launch a race equity analysis tool used to help guide the City’s budget process through a race equity lens.

A learning process

While the City aims to improve outcomes for everyone, the work needed in this moment requires a focus on race equity, said Mayor Mike Maguire. As leaders build the skills and learn the language to promote race equity and inclusion, the council and the City will dive into self-reflection, he explained.

“Self-reflection can be a threatening thing sometimes,” but the council is clear in their commitment to making Eagan a racially equitable community. In concert with past, current, and future efforts, the City will work to close racial disparities in Eagan. Thanks to past efforts and intentional work, City staff and leaders are ready to continue our learning and growth in the upcoming year. 

For updates on our work, look for our new REI icon on the City’s website, social media, and printed communications.