On January 17, 2025, Dallas hosted the Sixth Annual Equity Indicators Symposium at the Briscoe Livestock Carpenter Center-Fair Park. The event, organized by the Office of Equity and Inclusion and the Office of Environmental Quality & Sustainability, brought together various community members to explore the updated Equity Indicators Report. A key focus this year was Environmental Justice.
Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert kicked off the symposium with welcoming remarks. She was joined by District 4 Council Member Carolyn King Arnold and District 10 Council Member Kathy Stewart, both of whom lead important committees in the city.
“Environmental Justice is vital for equity. Everyone, regardless of where they live, deserves the resources to succeed,” Tolbert said.
The day was packed with engaging panels and discussions. One session, titled “Closing Disparities in Public Health, Education, and the Community,” tackled major public health issues and highlighted initiatives aimed at helping students succeed.
Another panel, “Fair Park: Honoring Legacy, Embracing Innovation, and Connecting Communities,” was led by Assistant City Manager Liz Cedillo-Pereira. This discussion focused on revitalizing Fair Park while keeping its historical roots intact.
A standout moment was a fireside chat on “Environmental Justice,” featuring Dr. Jalonne White-Newsome, Federal Chief Environmental Justice Officer. The conversation, moderated by Kathryn Guerra Bazan, Chair of the Environmental Commission, covered the history of environmental justice and ongoing efforts to improve it at local and national levels. Dr. White-Newsome emphasized the importance of involving communities most affected by policy changes.
“Effective policy comes from listening to the voices of those impacted,” she noted.
The symposium wrapped up with a presentation from the Dallas Youth Council Environmental Commission, where they called on everyone to prioritize equity in their roles.
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