September 8, 2022 |Breaking News, City of Lynn, From the Mayor, News, Politics

City of Lynn announces Racial Equity Advisory Leadership Team (REAL)

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The Nicholson Administration is excited to announce the inaugural Racial Equity Advisory Leadership Team (REAL), which is part of the City of Lynn’s year two participation with Racial Equity Municipal Action Plan (REMAP). REMAP launched last year under the McGee Administration as a pilot program with the goals of addressing racial equity at the municipal level and called on communities to volunteer to be part of this ongoing process to tackle structural and institutional racism effectively.

REMAP is a partnership between the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston (FRBB), Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), and Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE) / Race Forward. These key partners will continue to provide the City of Lynn with ongoing guidance and technical assistance support on our racial equity efforts.

Nicholson has appointed the following City staff to the REAL Team:

• Jennifer Almonte, Public Health Nurse
• Dawn Kwiatek, Internal Auditor
• Drew Russo, Personnel Director
• Zosia VanMeter, Ordinance Enforcement Officer
• James Wellock, Assistant City Solicitor

Faustina Cuevas, the City’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer will lead and coordinate the group’s work which includes developing and analyzing high-level racial equity initiatives, ideas, and strategies to make City government more inclusive and equitable for all.

“I’m looking forward to working with this group to see how we can make our City services and spaces more welcoming and accessible. One of my top priorities as Mayor is to provide inclusive growth and put equity at the forefront of decision-making.”

Mayor Jared Nicholson

Zosia VanMeter spoke about why this opportunity is personal to her, “Groups like REAL are important because it reminds me and other people of color that our voices are heard in spaces where they have previously felt silenced.”

Cuevas echoed Zosia’s sentiments, “REAL represents the importance of centering diversity, equity and inclusion within City government so that we can be accountable to all members of our community.”

The focus of the group will be on internal change at City Hall and the goal is to expand into the Community with the eventual addition of community members to the group.

The above press release was submitted to us by Mayor Nicholson’s office.