For Immediate Release: April 21, 2023 

Alexandria, Va.—The City of Alexandria’s Race and Social Equity (RASE) Office will launch the Equity Index Map for use by City agencies, City Council, and community partners. For the last three years, the RASE Office has been working to develop tools to promote equity throughout our community. This new resource will promote the intentional use of data to eliminate systemic and institutional inequities experienced by residents.  

On Thursday, May 4, the RASE Office will launch the Equity Index Map in an interactive event, held from 2 to 4 p.m., at Tavern Square, 3rd Floor Conference Center, 421 King Street. The launch will give participants the opportunity to explore and understand how to use the map to address real-world challenges. Please register for the event by filling out the Equity Index Map Launch Registration Form. 

The two key components of the Equity Index Map – the Racial Equity Index and the Social Opportunity Indicators – capture the magnitude of disparities between racial/ethnic groups in key socioeconomic outcomes and help users explore the factors that may drive those disparities. The Equity Index Map provides users with a resource to think about the root causes of the entrenched inequities in Alexandria and how City leaders can address those root causes to achieve equity for all.  

A series of opportunities will be available to engage with residents regarding the forthcoming equity resources as the City moves toward a more intentionally equitable future.  

Since hiring Alexandria’s first Race and Social Equity Officer, internal and external contributors to the City’s equity commitment have begun engaging in equity training, addressing inequities in their services, and applying an equity lens to their work to determine how to best serve all Alexandrians. 

In 2021, City Council adopted the ALL Alexandria Resolution, the commitment by City leaders to race and social equity through increased knowledge, understanding, and dynamic engagement throughout our entire community. View the ALL Alexandria Resolution video. 

View the Equity Index Map Launch Event Flyer in English, Spanish, Amharic, or Arabic.   

For more information about ALL Alexandria, visit alexandriava.gov/Equity. To receive the latest news and information from ALL Alexandria, sign up for the City’s free eNews service at alexandriava.gov/eNews.

For media inquiries only, contact Office of Communications Director Ebony Fleming at 703.402.1745.