A coalition of Dallas community leaders is advocating for city officials to reaffirm their commitment to racial equity, despite recent announcements aimed at halting city policies and programs that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
During a press conference at Dallas City Hall on Monday, a group of pastors and former City Council members stressed the importance of ‘moral courage’ in response to anti-DEI directives from President Donald Trump that threaten federal funding.
They urged city officials to utilize all lawful methods to continue advancing racial equity while ensuring that city policies and budget decisions reflect this commitment.
Rev. George Mason, president of the Dallas-based nonprofit interfaith group Faith Commons, emphasized the undeniable intersection of poverty and race in the city.
‘We expect them to find every possible means — to rename programs as necessary — to fund the priorities that we have talked about and agreed upon,’ he stated.
The advocates also pointed out the need for ongoing monitoring of these programs to ensure that city policies are not exacerbating existing inequalities among residents.
Mason clarified that the intent of the press conference was not to assign blame but to encourage constructive action.
While acknowledging the risk of losing federal funding aimed at supporting underserved populations, they urged city officials to still find ways to honor their commitment to racial equity in tangible and measurable forms for residents.
The press conference followed an announcement from City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert last week, wherein she instructed all city departments to cease the use of policies and programs that consider race, gender, ethnicity, religion, or national origin in their funding and benefits allocation decisions.
In a move aimed at preserving millions in federal funding, the Dallas City Council granted Tolbert the authority to evaluate city programs in light of these federal mandates and to pause any initiatives that do not comply.
This decision marks a significant shift, as it halts the city’s racial equity plan, which the Council approved in 2022 to address the racial and ethnic disparities faced by residents.
Additionally, a business inclusion and development policy intended to assist businesses owned by women and people of color in securing city contracts has also been discontinued.
The city’s office of equity and inclusion, once a standalone department, will now be merged with three others into a new office dedicated to housing and community empowerment.
All DEI programs are currently undergoing legal review, with some on the verge of being overhauled.
For instance, future initiatives may prioritize aid for small, locally-owned businesses instead of specifically targeting those owned by women and people of color.
In discussing the proposed upcoming $5.2 billion city budget, Tolbert conveyed her belief that equity should not be confined to a standalone office but must be ingrained in the very fabric of municipal operations.
‘We have an opportunity to do the work in a way that we are still addressing disparities,’ she explained on Friday.
‘We’re looking at barriers, and we’re continuing to find ways to create pathways for people to thrive across our city, regardless of their neighborhood or ZIP code.’
Former City Council member Casey Thomas expressed his disappointment regarding the decision to halt the racial equity plan, a pivotal initiative he championed during his tenure.
He underscored that the latest budget marks the first time in four years without a clear indication of the city’s commitment to racial equity.
‘Our city budget is a reflection of our values, and we who stand united here today value equity and don’t want to see the city lose ground on the progress that has been made,’ he stated.
Rev. Victoria Robb Powers, senior pastor of Royal Lane Baptist Church, denounced the federal mandate as ‘political extortion’ by the Trump administration.
She passionately asserted that racial equity work in Dallas is rooted in justice and reparations rather than discrimination.
‘Dallas must show the nation that our values are not for sale, our vision is not for rent, and our commitment to justice cannot be bought off or bullied away,’ she declared.
‘Our communities have waited too long for these commitments to be made real, and we cannot give up on them now.’
The event saw attendance from several council members, including Paula Blackmon, Laura Cadena, Zarin Gracey, and Maxie Johnson.
Cadena, who was elected in May, expressed her appreciation for the leaders’ vocal support and their willingness to collaborate toward common racial equity goals, which she affirmed remain unchanged.
Gracey stated that he anticipates a thoughtful response from city staff regarding the requests presented during the conference.
‘I’m planning to work with my colleagues and the city manager to make sure that happens,’ he said.
Council member Paula Blackmon conveyed her support for Tolbert’s efforts to engage with the community while navigating compliance with federal executive orders.
Acknowledging Dallas’ historical injustices faced by people of color and intentional segregation caused by city policies, she affirmed the ongoing importance of making the city accessible and prosperous for all.
‘How we label it? It’s just a label,’ Blackmon remarked.
‘But I hope that we will be judged on our actions moving forward.’
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