Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE) Southern Regional Convening in Dallas Fosters Collaboration for Racial Justice 

Spring 2024, the City of Dallas, Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE), and local leaders hosted GARE’s Southern Regional Convening.

To learn more about the 2024 Southern Regional Convening, watch the video here. To learn more about GARE, check out their website; Membership – GARE Online Community (racialequityalliance.org).

This three-day event connected over 150 racial equity practitioners and partner organizations from across the Sunbelt region, including Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. The convening fostered and strengthened relationships, promoted the exchange of ideas, and the establishment of key strategies to advance equity in the region. 

The event commenced with a welcome reception in which Dallas’ Assistant City Manager Liz Cedillo-Pereira and Councilmember Jaynie Schultz, District 11, expressed their gratitude and welcomed attendees to our vibrant city. The reception featured an impactful keynote address by the renowned Dallas pastor and social activist, Rev. Dr. Frederick Douglass Haynes, III. Titled “The South Got Something to Say,” Dr. Haynes’ speech emphasized perseverance in the fight for racial justice. 

A highlight of the event was the “Equity is Evergreen” mixer, where Jerry Hawkins, Executive Director of Dallas Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation delivered a keynote on the role of historical and collective memory in shaping inclusive narratives and driving systemic change. 

“Such vital opportunities underscore the value of connecting with others, to clearly communicate the vision around the advancement of equity and identify ways to strengthen our collaboration for the good of our communities. We are incredibly honored that our Office of Equity and Inclusion hosted such an important convening of local government officials,” stated Assistant City Manager Cedillo-Pereira. 

Other notable speakers included GARE’s Senior Director Marsha Guthrie, Dallas’ former Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Carolyn King Arnold, District 4 and Current Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Adam Bazaldua, District 7. During the plenary, the City of Dallas featured an esteemed panel of diverse City Leaders including Thor Erickson (Assistant Director of Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization), Danielle Thompson (Director of the Office of Procurement Services), Martine Phillippe (Director of the Office of Arts & Culture), and Rosa Fleming (Director of Convention & Events Services). The panel was moderated by Dr. Lindsey Wilson, Director of the Office of Equity and Inclusion.