Builds a Culture of Equity

Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are a critical component of equity and belonging efforts for employees at the City of Grand Rapids. They exist to benefit and advance employees and the City by working strategically to elevate the collective value and voices of our diverse communities. They offer resources and programming that foster awareness, respect, and inclusion within the workplace by giving employees a platform to share how their lived experiences inform work culture.

In addition to fostering belonging, ERGs also support the City's Strategic Plan by creating a nurturing workplace environment, promoting equity objectives within departments, and being a collective voice around shared issues and concerns. These activities also grant ERG leadership the chance to train, educate, and share resources with their peers about topics central to an ERG's identity, providing many opportunities for professional development and networking in the process.

The Equity Learning Community (ELC) is an action-oriented, collaborative learning community of City workers dedicated to promoting and operationalizing equity in all departments.  

Led by the Office of Equity and Engagement, the ELC intentionally creates space for City staff to learn about national best practices for equity, practice applying equity concepts and tools, and connect with other staff who value equity work, all within a collaborative and social environment. We believe that through this work, we will create space for equitable decision-making that will benefit the community and our own well-being as public servants.

The ELC hosts a program every other month that is open to all City staff, and sometimes the public, to encourage relationships between departments centered on the promotion of diversity, equity, and inclusion.