With the news of another egregious use of force by police, this time in Memphis, our thoughts turn to how communities can make sure these kinds of acts do not happen again. While many places have instituted police reform measures and training, another useful strategy is reducing the number and types of situations needing police involvement, to include not only those involving mental illness, but a myriad other nonviolent situations. Here’s an article describing how some communities are already doing this.

South Carolina Advances Civility in Cities

Equitable and Inclusive Civic Engagement

National Civics Bee: Testing Civics Knowledge

Incivility among national leaders has often trickled down to the local level, and there are some good national resources for improving civility, like the National Institute on Civil Discourse and the Institute on Civility in Government. The Municipal Association of South Carolina is promoting civility statewide and providing tools for cities to advance civility and goodwill in their communities. Read more.

As we launch into 2023 and beyond, the National Civic League will focus on applying and refining our time-tested process to ensure inclusive civic engagement. Ensuring equity in our process is imperative as we help communities foster healthy youth civic engagement, engage under-represented populations, address climate change, reform police practices, and other pursuits.

Read more.

National Civics Bee, a civics knowledge competition organized by the Civic Trust, an initiative of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, is expanding to nine states in 2023. Modeled off a traditional spelling bee, it is an opportunity for students to show their civics knowledge. First, students submit an essay, then finalists are invited to take part in a live civics quiz. Entries are due February 24th. Read more.

Celebrate Black

History Month

All-America Leader and Hall of Fame Awards

National Civic Review: Winter Edition

February provides us with an opportunity to remember, reflect, and learn from the history of Black Americans. Join the Center for Civic Education in celebrating Black History Month this year with brief, daily podcasts dedicated to the African American experience, and lesson plans about the nonviolent strategy of the Civil Rights movement. 

Read more.

The League is accepting applications and nominations for two supplemental awards. The Hall of Fame Award aims to recognize an outstanding civic engagement initiative of past All-America Cities. The All-America Leader Award seeks to recognize an individual’s outstanding civic contribution to their community. Applications and nominations for both awards are due March 13th!

This equity edition of the Review reflects the interests we share with 3 of our partners: the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, which is working to advance racial healing and equity, the NextFifty Initiative, whose mission is to improve the lives of older adults, and the Kettering Foundation, which promotes democratic practices & supports work to improve racial equity. Use code NCL23 to read.