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 March 26, 2025 EAT Meeting
We are excited to have you for our in-person March 2025 EAT meeting! We had to change to the date to Wednesday due to some other conflicting events on Saturday.
Please join us Wednesday, March 26th, 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/MarchEAT2025
The March 2025 EAT Meeting will be held at:
Street-Jones Building
1000 E. 11th St. #120
4th Floor Conference Room 400A
Austin, TX 78702
Agenda Coming soon!
We look forward to being in community with you. Come as you are, when you can!
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Reunión Eventbrite EAT 26 de marzo de 2025 Información de la reunión
¡Nos da mucho gusto que nos acompañe a nuestra reunión EAT presencial de marzo! Por favor acompáñenos el miércoles 26 de marzo 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/MarchEAT2025
La reunión del EAT de marzo se llevará a cabo en:
Street-Jones Building
1000 E. 11th St. #120
4th Floor Conference Room 400A
Austin, TX 78702
¡Agenda próximamente!
Se proveerá la cena y habrá opciones para vegetarianos.
Esperamos estar en comunidad con usted. Venta tal y como es, ¡cuando pueda!
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We had a full room at Street-Jones and many new faces again at our 2nd EAT meeting of 2025. We enjoyed some delicious soul food from Three Chicks Soul Food--a Black, woman-owned catering company in Austin. Vegan food options were provided by Casa Colombia.
Here are some highlights of what we learned and what was shared:
We are also still keeping our eye on bills filed in the Texas Legislature, so we will keep the resources below here for you all.
Bill hearings are starting end of February into March. The last day for a bill to be filed in the Texas Legislature is March 14, 2025.
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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 Session dates have been finalized! See flyers below in English and Spanish
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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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On this day in 1878, eight young men enrolled in the short-lived Alta Vista Agricultural College, the first public black college in Texas. In 1876 the Fifteenth Texas Legislature had authorized an "Agricultural and Mechanical College for the Benefit of Colored Youth" as part of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (now Texas A&M University). A three-man commission bought Alta Vista Plantation, near Hempstead in Waller County, from Helen Marr Kirby for some $15,000. Texas A&M president Thomas S. Gathright hired Mississippian L. W. Minor as the first principal, and in March 1878 the first students enrolled at a tuition of $130 for nine months of instruction, board, and one uniform. The school was rechartered as Prairie View Normal Institute the following year, and continues today as Prairie View A&M University.
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Ramadan Mubarak! In honor of this holy month of Ramadan (evening of Feb. 28 to March 29th) and in honor of Women's History Month in month, we're reading
This book challenges common stereotypes of Muslim women by highlighting the activism of eighteen women from the U.S. and Canada who work in fields like social services, marital counseling, and political advocacy. Through personal narratives, they share their motivations, perspectives on Islam and activism, and the obstacles they’ve faced, from cultural patriarchy to societal discrimination. Representing diverse backgrounds—including converts, immigrants, and daughters of immigrants—these women demonstrate the vital role Muslim women play in advancing social justice. Katherine Bullock’s introduction underscores their historical contributions and calls for greater gender equity in building a just society.*
*This book summary was written with the help of AI and reviewed by a human in the Equity Division.
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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.
More listening session dates coming soon! |
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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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Teen Laptop Disassembly Workshop
📅 Wednesday, March 19
🕑 2pm to 4pm
📍 Carver Branch Library
Are you between the ages of 13 and 18 and curious about how computers work? Join us for an exciting hands-on workshop hosted by Fix-It Austin and taught by staff from the City of Austin's Community PC Program. Laptops and all necessary tools will be provided. No prior technical experience is required—just bring your curiosity and enthusiasm!
Registration is required and you must reserve a spot to attend.
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Sunday Sessions are back, and it’s starting to finally feel like Spring. 🌤️🌱
This lineup is SPECIAL.
It helps us to keep providing FREE spaces for us to vibe and connect. 🫶🏾
you know the deal- bring your spreads, blankets (& jackets), books, crafts, homies (or come solo :)
See you by the lake! 🌅
📍 1800 S Lakeshore Blvd, Austin, TX 78741 |
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📅 Saturday, March 29
🕝 5-9pm
📍Pease Park, 1100 Kingsbury St, Austin, TX 78703
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📅 Wednesday, March 19th, 2025
🕑 6:30pm to 8pm
📍 La Madeline, 5493 Brodie Lane, Austin TX, 78745
She will be speaking on the history of one of Austin's biggest grassroot environmental victories that occurred in the 1990s, and affected a neighborhood that was predominately people of color.
Feel free to come around 6:30 pm to 7 pm to order food/drink and to socialize. |
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HBCU AI Con
📅 April 1st-April 3rd, 2025
📍 Huston-Tillotson University
View the agenda here!
The HBCU AI Conference and Training Summit is more than just an event! As AI continues to transform the way we work and live, it is critical that we all work together to ensure that human excellence stays at the forefront of the future!
📅 Mark your calendars for April 1-3, 2025, and join us for this transformative summit. Whether you're a student, educator, researcher, industry professional, or AI enthusiast, this event is designed to equip you with the tools, knowledge, and connections to thrive in the world of AI.
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1160-5998 Lone Oak Trail, Sunset Valley, TX 78745
Join the MACC for the 4th annual Day of Wellness on Sunday, March 23, 2025. They’ll have a morning full of activities for all ages including birdwatching, gardening, yoga & meditation, cooking demo, arts & crafts, music and more!
Email them at maccwellness@austintexas.gov by Mon, March,17 to pre-register for Birdwatching, Yoga/Meditation, and the Cooking Demo.
Activities include:
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Birdwatching (with Travis Audubon)
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Gardening (with Herbal Action Project) Pre-register via Givepulse
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Yoga & Meditation (Guided by Aneika Perez)
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Cooking Demo (with Sana Yoga)
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Arts & Crafts with ESB-MACC Education Team
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Live Acoustic Guitar with Isai Chacon
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Paletas from Mom & Pops All Natural Frozen Pops
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Live Nature Painting with Matilde Trujillo
Plus, resources and Information from
PEAS - Partners for Education, Agriculture, and Sustainability and
Ride Bikes Austin!
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GRANTS + TRAINING + SERVICES |
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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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Oportunidad de arte público para el sitio de St. John
Invitamos a artistas de Texas y a equipos dirigidos por artistas a presentar su candidatura para una instalación de arte público en el rediseñado sitio de St. John, una histórica comunidad afroamericana. Animamos a los artistas que tengan conexiones con el vecindario a que presenten su solicitud antes del 14 de marzo. El 11 de febrero se llevará a cabo una sesión informativa para artistas en el centro
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TADOHE invites you and your networks to submit proposals for their upcoming TADOHE Summer
Inclusive Leadership: Persevering with a New Perspective!
Join TADOHE at Texas Christian University from July 11 to 12, 2025, to strategize for the future of higher education.
Please share bold ideas, innovative strategies, and transformative solutions that advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education.
Together, let’s preserve the mission of inclusive leadership while shaping a brighter, more equitable future.
Submit your proposal here--submission dates extended to March 15th!
https://forms.gle/bRaYMCtxWZcaWVje6
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Join Sunrise Navigation Center at their De-escalation training.
This free training covers skills to de-escalate difficult interactions from a trauma-informed perspective.
Training Logistics:
📅 Monday, March 24th
🕑 2p-4p
📍Sunrise Navigation Center
4430 Menchaca RoadAustin, TX, 78745
The training will be in the main building in the Sanctuary. Parking is available out front.
For questions, contact:
Sarah Weier: sarah@sunriseaustin.org
Haggai Eshed: haggai@sunriseaustin.org
Megan Jang: meg@sunriseaustin.org
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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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