Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Office

The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) works with City departments, external partners, and community members to dismantle institutional and structural barriers.

The office reinforces the City's commitment to creating a more equitable Hayward, where race, ethnicity, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, income, or neighborhood are not a determinant of success.

An equitable Hayward is one where all thrive. It requires the City government’s policies, services, and distribution of resources to account for the distinct histories, challenges, and needs of the different communities it serves.

To achieve these goals, DEI focuses on these core priorities:

• Building a workforce—at all levels—that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve and a workplace culture that values inclusion and racial equity as both a process and outcome.
• Advancing a shared framework to embed racial equity as a governing principle in the City’s budgeting, community engagement, service delivery, and significant strategic initiatives.
• Promoting equitable procurement, contracting, and entrepreneurship outcomes so that every person and every business has the chance to grow successfully including supporting commerce in neighborhoods that have been harmed by unequal lending practices.
• Working collaboratively with City departments, community partners, and other institutions to understand institutional racism, eliminate racial inequity, and improve outcomes for all, while paying closer attention to communities who are worse off.

Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE):

As a dedicated member of the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE) national network, our commitment to achieving racial equity and fostering opportunities for all remains unwavering. Since our affiliation with GARE in 2019, we take pride in having 22 staff members (and growing) participate in specialized training focused on racial equity. These trained individuals then share their insights within their respective workgroups, imparting knowledge on viewing projects, programs, services, and resources through a racial equity lens.

They address five crucial questions in their evaluations:

1. Who is the intended audience?
2. Who benefits from the policy/program?
3. What are the advantages?
4. Who might face potential negative impacts?
5. What are the potential adverse consequences?

This proactive approach ensures that our organizational practices align with principles of equity and inclusivity.  Learn more about GARE here. 

Learn more about our work and view resources, services and programs available to the community below: