The Racial Equity Commission will be made up of 17 members nominated by three governing boards: Durham County Commissioners, Durham Public Schools and Durham City Council.

The primary functions of the Commission:

• To advise the City and County regarding the implementation of the City-County specific recommendations from the City of Durham Racial Equity Taskforce Report.
• To advise the City and County regarding the implementation of the City and County’s racial equity action plans, developed in tandem with the Government Alliance on Race and Equity national framework, to encourage progress on equitable outcomes that might disproportionately impact Black, Indigenous, and other POC as well as low-income residents.
• To establish communication with community residents, relay progress on plan implementation and prioritize community interests to integrate into racial equity initiatives.
• To serve in an advisory capacity to racial equity staff of the City, County and educational entities in Durham to advance racial equity.
• To advise racial equity staff of the City, County and educational entities in Durham in the development and implementation of a racial equity evaluation based on Task Force report and jurisdictional racial equity action plan recommendations.
• To review plans and reports of equity staff and encourage public input on racial equity action plans.
• To pursue data, research, and policy recommendations to advance racial equity.
• To uphold government accountability towards achieving racial equity and promoting anti-racism practices.

As the Commission is representative of the community, it will also function primarily in service to the community. Engaging the broader community in the Commission’s activities, initiatives, and processes will be important and central to the overall function of the Commission. Community engagement will be an active component and requirement for all decision-making.

To view the bylaws of the Durham Racial Equity Commission, please click here.