“Racial equity is achieved when race can no longer be used to predict life outcomes and outcomes for all groups are improved.”

– Government Alliance on Race & Equity (GARE)

The City’s journey towards formalizing its Racial Equity Awareness & Action Plan began with our participation in the Council of Governments Racial Equity Cohort in 2019. The Cohort presented their recommendations to the Mayor & City Council in September 2020. These findings were used as the foundation of the plan presented in March 2021.  The Mayor & City Council unanimously adopted a Resolution on May 3, 2021 which officially launched the Awareness & Action Plan.

It is important to recognize the City of Gaithersburg’s long-standing commitment to the values of equity, fairness, inclusion, and justice. As was stated in Resolution R-45-17, which was unanimously adopted by the Mayor & City Council in August of 2017 following the abhorrent events in Charlottesville, we believe in the public sector for the public good, and as disparities in our community persist and have grown wider, we are compelled to do all in our power and influence to advance equity starting with our own institution and systems.

Within this page you will find background information, goals and strategies that are both inward facing for City government policies, procedures & practices, and outward facing for community involvement & collaboration. Gaithersburg has the gift of having a richly diverse community and we are proud of the work we do to ensure equitable outcomes for all City residents.