With a population of 53,000, the City of Rocky Mount, North Carolina began charting a new course toward financial empowerment in 2023. Through the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund’s CityStart Initiative, the goal of achieving economic equity is closer than ever.

We know DE&I initiatives play a crucial role in building more robust, inclusive economies. And we know that even if the acronyms change, the push for equity and access in the United States will not be stopped. Today, among the champions of equity, non-profit organizations are uniting in support of DEI and a commitment to First Amendment rights. Whether through amicus briefs or innovating how we think about DEI, individuals and organizations are finding ways to fight back in the war on DEI.

For many, holiday music evokes feelings of warmth, nostalgia, and togetherness. They capture the essence of the holiday spirit. But have you ever considered the role of placemaking in shaping song lyrics and the festive experiences they describe?

Gathering public input is core to quality, inclusive, and equitable Community Engagement in public projects. Learn more about how and why in our latest blog post!

Hard-won gains in diversity, equity, and inclusion are being rolled back everywhere since the June 2023 decision by the Supreme Court of the United States to end affirmative action in college admissions. Hear from Christine Edwards, MPA, small business owner, and government contracting expert on how small business, government contracting, venture capitalism, and more are being impacted.

The power of pop culture can unite communities in engagement and advocacy. Tiandra Evans explores the possibilities.

Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s dissent: “But deeming race irrelevant in law does not make it so in life. And having so detached itself from this country’s actual past and present experiences, the Court has now been lured into interfering with the crucial work that UNC and other institutions of higher learning are doing to solve America’s real-world problems. No one benefits from ignorance.”

Social media can be a great resource to share information, promote events, and receive feedback. Of course, to achieve great results, there are best practices to follow. At Civility Localized, we find it important to be authentic, consistent, and patient with our content. Using social media this way cultivates online involvement that drives positive change within communities.

We asked our team what they were reading this summer, and we loved the responses so much we thought we’d share them with you. What are you reading in the summer of 2023?

At Civility Localized, we understand the importance of community engagement in placemaking. We have a proven track record of helping communities engage with developers and policymakers to create better development projects.