September 2019
The Long Beach Office of Equity is excited to re-launch our e-newsletter on a monthly basis. Please share your feedback, events, or ideas with us to include in the future!
Race Counts Workshop
Join us for this exciting opportunity to learn about Race Counts, an online tool to track racial disparities across California, hosted by Advancement Project California in partnership with the Long Beach Office of Equity. The Race Counts Initiative, led by Advancement Project CA, uses equity as the primary lens for addressing systemic racism – i.e., the way that racism has been embedded in public political, economic, and social systems to subordinate people of color and Indigenous peoples. Join us for a free workshop on Race Counts this Thursday, September 5, 2019 from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM at the Mark Twain Library.

Workshop Goals:
• Use data to learn more about key issues in communities of color in Long Beach.
• Learn how to utilize the Race Counts Tool across our work in Long Beach.
• Re-frame the narrative around data by highlighting the root causes of racial disparities in Long Beach.

To register, please click  here .

To learn more about Race Counts visit www.racecounts.org
Making Long Beach Livable For All Residents
Learn about recent livability improvements in Long Beach including successes, lessons learned, and innovative approaches. Then, participate in a discussion with a group of Long Beach City staff from various departments who have worked on these livability initiatives, including Parks, Health, Public Works and Planning, as to what expanded, new, and different approaches are needed .

Protecting Immigrant Families
Public charge refers to individuals who are primarily dependent on the government for subsistence, like people who rely on cash assistance programs, or require long-term care at the government’s expense. The Public Charge Webinar will:
  • Better understand the current rules for public charge determinations made by immigration officers
  • Share information that minimizes panic about the new public charge rule
  • Share resources for trainers and community members affected by the rules
Tune in on Thursday, September 5th!

Building a Better Long Beach:
An Update on Development in Long Beach with Mayor Robert Garcia
Join community leaders, developers, and the men and women of the construction trades on Tuesday, September 24th at the Beverly O'Neill Theater; as The Long Beach Business Journal and Mayor Garcia cover the exciting changes coming to our city's skyline.

Please   RSVP   to attend – space is limited.
Cannabis Equity Employment Registry
Are you over 21 years of age and interested in working in the Cannabis industry? The City of Long Beach has established a Cannabis Equity Employment Registry that ALL cannabis-related businesses MUST use to fill 40% of their annual payroll hours. To see if you qualify to be placed on the registry, attend a Cannabis Equity Employment Information Session. Sessions every Wednesday at 10 AM. Register for an information session here .
Show Me The Money!
Long Beach Career Fair

Long Beach Marriott is hosting a Career Fair on Thursday, September 12th . Have face to face interviews with Fortune 500 Companies to learn about company benefits, pay and 401K options.




PRO TIP: Bring 10-15 resumes and dress for success!
College Internship Program

Visit one of the world’s most comprehensive post-secondary transition programs for young adults ages 18-26 with learning differences. This is specifically for young adults with Asperger’s, High-Functioning Autism, ADHD and other Learning Differences, their parents and the professionals who support them.
  • Fun social activities for students
  • Meet and greet with department heads
  • Campus Tours
  • Student Panel

Held on Saturday, September 28

News, Updates & Resources
Language Accessibility and Inclusivity
On August 28 th , Francheska Deras (Language Access Coordinator) and Katie Balderas (Equity Officer) were joined by community members and staff from United Cambodian Community, Long Beach Forward, and Long Beach Immigrant Rights Coalition to do a walk-through of the new City Hall with an eye towards improving language accessibility. Community members had helpful ideas for signage improvements as well as other ways to make the beautiful new facility more welcoming for all community members, including elders and parents with small children. The Office of Equity is working with a variety of departments on sign translation to ensure that City Hall is welcoming and accessible for all people in Long Beach. Learn more about the Language Access Policy here .
Meet The Office of Equity!
The Office of Equity educates and supports City staff and elected officials to advance equity and ensure that all Long Beach residents have what they need to thrive. Our small but mighty team includes:

  • Katie Balderas, Equity Officer
  • Adam Lara, Policy & Programs Analyst
  • Francheska Deras, Language Access Coordinator
  • Ericka Diaz, CSULB Student Intern

Follow us on Social Media and visit our website .
As National Hispanic Heritage Month Approaches, the Long Beach Justice Fund Assists Local Immigrants Facing Deportation
The City of Long Beach and Vera Institute of Justice join forces to provide free legal help for low income immigrants who are at risk of deportation that live or work in Long Beach. With the the lack of appointed counsel and inability to receive a fair hearing has caused o ver 130,000 immigrants to face deportation with toll rapidly rising. If you or know someone on the verge of deportation the Long Beach Justice Fund is here to help. Here is a list of the Frequently Asked Questions
RACIAL EQUITY VS. DIVERSITY VS. INTERSECTIONALITY
To do better we have to know better. Once you know better you have the ability to change your thought process and point of view. For equity to truly be effective shared vocabulary is a necessity. Check out 17 racial equity terms that are sure to be a conversation starter. Learn More
It's Been 400 Years Post Slavery, See How Racial Health Disparities Still Linger in Travis County, Texas
"400 years of economic inequality is an underlying cause of health disparities local government is trying to address" says Dr. Jewel Mullen who is an associate dean for health equity at the University of Texas Dell Medical School in Austin. Addressing health disparities requires understanding how slavery has left a legacy of racial power imbalance. Read Here
Please e-mail us if you have any updates you'd like to share