Item Description:
title
Establish Hennepin County's Reparative Justice Research Task Force - offered by Commissioner Conley and Commissioner Greene
body
WHEREAS, Hennepin County's Race Equity Advisory Council (REAC) was formed in 2019, and each year makes recommendations that are specific and actionable to contribute to structural improvements of the institution; and
WHEREAS, the mission of REAC is to strengthen the county's goal of disparity elimination and to advise the Board of Commissioners and county administration on the county's vision and strategy focused on eliminating racial disparities and advancing racial equity throughout Hennepin County; and
WHEREAS, REAC's recommendations to the Board of Commissioners in years 2024 and 2025, as a part of its annual report, identified the significance of exploring reparative justice; and
WHEREAS, Hennepin County remains focused on intentionally confronting and overcoming barriers that impact many residents, disproportionately residents that are Black and Indigenous; and
WHEREAS, in REAC's 2025 annual report, the council states that the establishment of a Reparations Research Task Force in Hennepin County is a necessary and courageous step toward acknowledging past harms and building a more equitable future; and
WHEREAS, Hennepin County, like many jurisdictions, has a documented history of racially discriminatory policies, including housing covenants, exclusionary zoning, and unequal access to public services. These policies have contributed to significant racial disparities in wealth, health, education, and housing that persist today. Residents have increasingly called for reparative justice.
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners establishes a Reparative Justice Research Task Force, reporting to REAC, and directs the County Administrator to work in partnership with the Chairs of REAC to establish the membership and meeting schedule of the Reparative Justic...
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