The Equity Action Team (EAT) is a coalition of community members and City of Austin staff focused on advancing racial equity in our communities through partnerships with City departments, non-profits, philanthropic entities and community-based groups.
The EAT meetings are dedicated to critical discussions and strategizing on how to best improve the quality of life for most directly impacted communities in Austin. Join the EAT and find more information on the dashboard.
Everyone is welcome to join the EAT! As a member, your responsibility is to attend and bring your community with you. During our meetings, we hear from community members and City staff to understand community needs and City projects and work together to produce better outcomes for all.
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EQUITY OFFICE ANNOUNCEMENTS |
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Eventbrite RSVP for April 30th, 2025 EAT Meeting
We are excited to have you for our in-person April 2025 EAT meeting!
Please join us Wednesday, April 30th, 2025 from 6:00pm to 8:30pm. We'll connect over a meal, and then get our meeting started by 6:30pm.
RSVP: bit.ly/AprilEAT2025
The April 2025 EAT Meeting will be held at:
Street-Jones Building
1000 E. 11th St. #120
4th Floor Conference Room 400A
Austin, TX 78702
This month we we'll be hearing about immigration enforcement updates
from TxILC (Texas Immigration Law Council). We will also have interpretation into Spanish available.
We look forward to being in community with you. Come as you are, when you can!
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Reunión Eventbrite EAT 30 de abril de 2025 Información de la reunión
¡Nos da mucho gusto que nos acompañe a nuestra reunión EAT presencial de abril! Por favor acompáñenos el miércoles 30 de abril de 2025 de 6:00 pm- 8:30 p.m. Conviviremos durante la comida y luego iniciaremos la reunión a las 6:30 pm.
RSVP: bit.ly/AprilEAT2025
La reunión del EAT de abril se llevará a cabo en:
Street-Jones Building
1000 E. 11th St. #120
4th Floor Conference Room 400A
Austin, TX 78702
Obtenga información sobre las actualizaciones de inmigración de TxILC (Texas Immigration Law Council)
Esperamos estar en comunidad con usted. Venta tal y como es, ¡cuando pueda!
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Thank you to everyone who showed out for our March EAT Meeting! We heard from our new Director, Dr. Lindsey Wilson, and welcomed our new Human Rights Officer, Shafina Khaki!
We are also still keeping our eye on bills filed in the Texas Legislature. Currently, Senate Bill 689, filed by Senator Bryan Hughes, was voted on and passed by the Senate. This legislation now goes to the House. You can read the bill here (Click on the 'Engrossed version, which just means the version that has been formally reprinted with all of the changes and amendments).
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What is a Bill? How are they filed and how do they become law?
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You can register an account with the Texas Legislature Online and keep track of bills. You can also look up a specific bill (even without a login). Or, you can set up an account and have an area of interest where you want to see what bills are being filed sent straight to your email. |
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Our Spring Citizenship Clinic and Information Sessions are coming to a close--the Citizenship Clinic is TOMORROW April 12th!
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WHAT'S IN THE NEWSLETTER? |
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Click one of the buttons below to go to that section's content |
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National Fair Housing Month is observed in April. In honor of the Civil Rights Fair Housing Act, the City of Austin's Office of Equity and Inclusion will be hosting the
We hope you can join in this free event on April 16th from 8:30am to 6pm (speakers end at 4:30pm, but resources are available until 6pm).
"The Fair Housing Act of 1968 prohibited discrimination concerning the sale, rental and financing of housing based on race, religion, national origin or sex. Intended as a follow-up to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the bill was the subject of a contentious debate in the Senate, but was passed quickly by the House of Representatives in the days after the assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. The Fair Housing Act stands as the final great legislative achievement of the civil rights era."
Photo credit: Lyndon Baines Johnson Signing Civil Rights Bill, April 11, 1968, Washington, USA, by
Leffler, Warren K., photographer, Library of Congress, http://www.loc.gov/ |
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April's Recommended Read:
Care Work is a powerful book by Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha, a writer and disability justice activist, and performance artist. In this collection of essays, Leah talks about the lives of sick and disabled people—especially those who are queer, trans, Black, or brown—and the importance of including them in communities and movements.
Leah shares personal stories about making spaces where these people feel safe, valued, and connected. The book shows how helping each other can be a way to create "collective access"--access not as a chore but as a collective responsibility and pleasure in our community and political movements. It also gives ideas for how we can build strong, kind communities where no one is left out.
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SURVEYS + COMMUNITY INPUT |
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The Austin Parks and Recreation Department's new Director, Jesús Aguirre, invites community members to share their thoughts and perspectives on what the Parks and Recreation Department does well and what opportunities there are for improvement. The Director will be holding listening sessions throughout Austin and visiting department facilities. He would love to hear from you.
New Dates Announced!
- April 26, 10 a.m. at Oswaldo "A.B." Cantu Pan American Recreation Center
- Pop-ups:
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The Homeless Advocacy Project (HAP) brings service providers and advocates together to discuss the most pressing issues and gaps in the homelessness response system. We meet monthly to hear from city leaders, raise concerns and get updates about the city's response. HAP is also a way to share information and resources to strengthen service and support and advocate for better policies and funding for unhoused Austinites. HAP is led by Central Presbyterian Church and St. David's Episcopal Church and hears from agencies like HSO, ECHO, & APD.
They are sending out this survey to people who have lived experience or work with the homeslessness response system to better define their priorities and gauge involvement.
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Fair Housing Conference & Resource Hub | April 16
Join the City of Austin for the third annual Fair Housing Conference & Resource Hub. Austinites are invited to join leading policymakers, practitioners, advocates, and community members to share ideas and discuss current fair housing issues. The all-day conference is free and open to the public, with breakfast and lunch included.
The day will include:
- Insightful panel discussions on housing discrimination, tenant rights, and inclusive housing policies.
- Interactive workshops led by local experts.
- Resource Hub featuring organizations providing housing assistance, legal services, and community programs.
- Networking opportunities with advocates and professionals committed to housing equity.
📆April 16, 2025 | 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
📍Holiday Inn Austin Midtown (6000 Middle Fiskville Road, Austin, TX 78752)
🆓 Free and open to the public
👉Register + access the full agenda at: SpeakUpAustin.org/FairHousing
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Conferencia Anual de Vivienda Justa y el Centro de Recursos | 16 de abril
Participe con la Ciudad de Austin para la tercera Conferencia Anual de Vivienda Justa y el Centro de Recursos. Se invita a los comunitarios de Austin a unirse con profesionales, defensores y miembros de la comunidad para compartir ideas y conversar sobre la vivienda justa. La conferencia es gratuita y abierta al público, con desayuno y almuerzo incluido.
Este día incluirá:
- Paneles informativos sobre la discriminación en la vivienda, los derechos de los inquilinos y las políticas de vivienda inclusivas.
- Talleres interactivos dirigidos por expertos locales.
- Centro de recursos que brindan asistencia de vivienda, servicios legales y programas comunitarios.
- Oportunidades de conexion con defensores y profesionales comprometidos con la equidad en la vivienda.
- El desayuno y almuerzo están incluidos para todos los participantes.
📆El 16 de abril 2025 | 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
📍Holiday Inn Austin Midtown (6000 Middle Fiskville Road, Austin, TX 78752)
🆓 Entrada gratis y abierto al público
👉Regístrate en: SpeakUpAustin.org/FairHousing
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April 9th to April 13th
Step into the vibrant world of South Asian independent cinema in Austin, Texas with Indie Meme. Established in 2013, Indie Meme LLC was born out of a passion for storytelling through film, and a desire to make compelling independent films from South Asia accessible to a wider audience in the United States. The inspiration struck founders Alka Bhanot and Tripti Bhatnagar when filmmaker Surabhi Sharma faced a lack of visibility for her film screening in Austin, revealing a void in the availability and awareness of meaningful South Asian cinema for enthusiasts like herself.
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Join Us for an Evening of Film, Justice, and Community Dialogue
You're invited to a special film screening and community conversation with Director Dan Protess as we explore the powerful documentary
In Their Hands — the story of Ronnie Carrasquillo, a man sentenced to 600 years as a youth for an accidental loss of life, and his decades-long fight for freedom.
This gripping film sheds light on how parole decisions are shaped by politics, power, and a system resistant to change — and why no one’s freedom should be left up to politics.
🗓 Date: Tuesday, April 29th
🕠 Time: 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
📍 Location: Austin Community College – Highland Campus
Building 2000, Room 1550 (Virtual Option Available)
🎟 Free Tickets: bit.ly/InTheirHandsScreening
Let’s watch, reflect, and discuss how we can transform justice and fight for freedom.
If you cannot make it to this event, we would appreciate your support in spreading the word.
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📅 Saturday, April 26, 2025
🕑 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
📍 Event Location: Parque Zaragoza, 2608 Gonzales St, Austin, TX 78702
🎟️ FREE Family Friendly event!
You're invited! Join us along with the Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC) for their La Mujer Celebration on Saturday, April 26th! Come join in the celebration which includes:
- Outdoor Art Market
- Music and Dance performances
- Wellness Workshops
- Open Pitch + Open Mic
The Office of Equity and Inclusion will be there to say hello and share some updates, events, and history of Austin.
We hope to see you there!
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The City of Austin's Asian American Resource Center (AARC) is hosting its annual CelebrASIA Austin event, featuring performances, art, culture, food, and more! This free, family-friendly festival will take place during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month on Saturday, May 3, 2025 from 11am to 3pm.
The main stage will be indoors in the AARC ballroom, with special performances from a wide range of groups, while the AARC’s classrooms will be transformed into cultural experience rooms, where you can immerse in hands-on cultural experiences. There will also be tables with activities provided by local community organizations, along with food and drinks available from local vendors.
More details and a full performance schedule will be announced closer to the event.
RSVP on Eventbrite to stay up to date!
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GRANTS + TRAINING + SERVICES |
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📅 Saturday, April 19th
🕑10:00 am-2:00 pm
📍City of Austin Permitting and Development Center Event Center: 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr, Austin, TX 78752
🤩Geared to a youth ages 16-24
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The City of Austin and the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs warmly invite you to attend a "Get to Know Your Veteran Benefits" briefing.
Event Details:
📅 Wednesday, May 14, 2025
🕒 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
📍 7901 Metropolis Dr. Austin, TX 78744
This informative event will feature presentations designed to educate Veterans and their families about the various benefits they may be eligible for.
Topics
- Habitat for Humanity
- VA Disability Compensation
- Veteran Pension
- Survivor Benefits
- Burial Benefits
- State Veterans Homes/Cemeteries
- Land Sales
- Home/Land Loans
The best part? This event is completely free, and no registration is required. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about the resources and support available to you.
We look forward to seeing you there!
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The
Pathways to Economic Stability for the Healthcare Workforce open call is focused on increasing opportunities for Central Texans – particularly those from historically marginalized communities – to enter financially sustainable healthcare careers by building the capacity of collaborative, region-wide pathways to securing employment that lead to self-sufficient wages. Our goal is to help Central Texans struggling to make ends meet find meaningful work in high-demand healthcare careers, enabling them to earn a wage that supports both themselves and their families.
We invite innovative and effective organizations and collaboratives dedicated to improving the economic stability of the healthcare workforce to apply for this funding opportunity. We are especially interested in initiatives that foster region-wide and ongoing collaboration and create career mobility, leading to economic stability for healthcare workers in Central Texas. Organizations with a compelling, feasible, and sustainable approach, backed by relevant experience, are encouraged to submit proposals. We welcome bold, impactful solutions, whether the initiative already exists or if it is a new vision designed to improve economic stability for the healthcare workforce.
An organization can apply individually or on behalf of a collaborative. Organizations will be asked to submit requested grant amounts to support the work included in the application, which will be considered relative to the effort, potential for long-term impact, and the organization’s annual operating budget.
Important Dates:
- Open Date: March 26, 2025
- Informational Webinar: View the webinar recording here
- Last Day to Submit Letter of Intent: May 1, 2025 by 5pm
- Application Deadline: May 13, 2025
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DADD is accepting proposals for the 27th Conference on Education for Individuals with Autism, Intellectual Disability, and Developmental Disabilities in 2026!
Topics of interest include
- Academics
- Assessment
- Behavior
- Collaboration
- Communication and Social Skills
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Health and Well-being (e.g., physical activity, sexuality)
- Life and Social Skills
- Professional Development
- Research Methodology
- Technology
- Transition
The conference will take place January 14-16, 2026 in Long Beach, California, and the Call for Proposals is now open.
Please save the date and consider submitting a proposal through Cvent Abstract Management.
Important Dates
- April 1, 2025: Call for Proposals Open
- May 15, 2025: Proposal Submissions Due (11:59 PM EST)
- August 1, 2025: Proposal Decisions Reported
- October 1, 2025: Speaker Registration Deadline
- January 14-16, 2025: DADD Conference in Long Beach, California
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The Native Arts + Cultures Foundation (NACF) is excited to announce that applications are now open for the 2025
SHIFT empowers Native artists, curators, and collectives to address critical societal issues, inspire systemic change, and amplify Indigenous voices.
Awardees will receive:
+ $𝟏𝟎𝟎,𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 ($50,000 for the lead artist/curator and $50,000 for project expenses)
+ 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 in community organizing, sustainability, and legacy-building
+ Support for community engagement and public presentations
+ More!
Applications close 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝟓, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓, 𝐚𝐭 𝟓:𝟎𝟎 𝐏𝐌 𝐏𝐓.
Learn more and apply here. |
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The purpose of this notice is to solicit applications for Rural and Tribal Assistance (RTA) Pilot Program grants. A total of $27 million is available to award for planning and design phase activities for developing transportation projects in rural or tribal communities.
Grants will support hiring staff or expert firms to provide technical, legal, or financial assistance to advance transportation projects that would be reasonably expected to be eligible for select Department of Transportation discretionary grant or credit programs. There is no local match required to participate in this program.
Two types of grants will be awarded: Single Project grants and Multi-Community grants, which will fund projects in, at minimum, three separate communities submitted under a single application.
- Single Project grants: $10 million available to award
- Min. award amount: $200,000
- Max. award amount: $750,000
- Multi-Community grants: $17 million available to award
- Min. award amount: $500,000
- Max. award amount: $2.25 million
$10 million of Program funding is set aside for tribal governments.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early, given the first-come, first-served award process.
The application portal will close at 4:59 p.m. ET on April 17, 2025; however, award funding may be committed before this date.
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The City of Austin has opened a $5 million funding opportunity for non-profits through Project Connect’s Community Initiated Solutions program. This funding supports efforts to prevent displacement and boost economic mobility for residents near planned transit lines.
Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations can apply online from April 8 to June 13, 2025.
Grants will range from $500,000 to $2 million.
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CAN (Community Advancement Network) Race Equity Principles in Practice May Series
Many of us have taken race equity trainings such as Beyond Diversity or Undoing Racism, and upon finishing, have wondered "what's next?" Community Advancement Network (CAN) has created a series of trainings that will focus on ways to utilize the lessons learned in these race equity trainings in our daily lives, in our work, and in our community. The series of trainings will require you to reflect on your past racialized experiences, research your community and nation's racial history, and learn about ways to actively engage in local work aimed at addressing racial inequality.
In order to participate in the series, you would need to be able to attend all 4 sessions in the series as each session builds off each other. All sessions will be on Zoom from 11:30 am - 1 pm.
The training dates are as follows: May 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th
Register for the series here
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As funding and staffing for public health services face growing challenges, volunteers are more essential than ever. The Austin/Travis County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is a vital community-based network of volunteers who support emergency preparedness, disaster response, and everyday public health efforts like vaccination clinics and health fairs. Open to anyone over 18 — whether or not you have a medical background — the MRC offers a meaningful way to give back, build skills, and help protect your community. With reduced capacity among health professionals, MRC volunteers play a critical role in keeping our communities safe and resilient. Joining is simple — apply today and be part of the mission!
See the impact here: "Volunteers, Austin Public Health running vaccine clinics to stay ahead of measles outbreak"
Training is held in person every 3rd Tuesday of the month on Microsoft Teams.
Upcoming Dates for Training:
- March 18, 2025
- April 15, 2025
- May 20, 2025
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Did you know? You can now become a FAN!
Have questions?
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