Government

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The City of Redlands recognizes the importance of community engagement with Redlands’ stakeholders to ensure the City’s initiatives are properly communicated to them. Moreover, the City recognizes the importance stakeholders play in the development of these initiatives to ensure the City’s vision not only aligns with the vision of the community, but also where diversity, equity and inclusion are key considerations in the development of truly impactful initiatives. It is only through this collaboration that stakeholders can ensure the City is not only hearing the needs and wants of the community, but also that the City is implementing policies that promote the Redlands where its residents desire to live and work and are treated as equals.

Human Relations Commission

The Human Relations Commission was established to foster peaceful relations among persons of different races and national origins.  This commission serves in an advisory capacity to the City Council and to aid the City in achieving better human relations by providing assistance to all persons or groups in promoting good will and better relations among all people.

The Human Relations Commission meets on the second Monday of March, June, September, and December at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.

DEI Training

On Wednesday, June 22, 2022, City management staff participated in the first in a series of quarterly Diversity, Equity and Inclusion trainings facilitated by Dr. Shindale Seale from Seade Coaching and Consulting.

The two-hour DEI 101 session explored the numerous accounts of exclusion throughout history and how these acts have impacted us today.  This was followed by the second training of the series on September 28, 2022, Unconscious Bias and the third training January 25, 2023, on Understanding and Mitigating Microaggressions.

The fourth and final session took place on April 19, 2023 (Creating Psychological Safety).

City Council Policies

The City Council has adopted proclamations and resolutions in support of diversity, equality, and inclusion in Redlands.

On February 3, 2026, City Council signed a proclamation recognizing the month of February 2026 as Black History Month and encourages residents to fight racism, intolerance, and prejudice through education, compassion, and understanding.

Black History Month Proclamation 2026

On March 3, 2026, City Council signed a proclamation recognizing the month of March 2026 as Women’s History Month and encourages residents to learn more about the rich and diverse history of women through available programs, reading, ceremonies, and educational activities.

2026 Women’s History Month ProclamationDownload

On March 3, 2026, City Council signed a proclamation recognizing the month of March 2026 as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and encourages all residents, businesses, schools, government agencies, and public and private institutions to recognize the ability of individuals with developmental disabilities to make significant contributions to their communities.

2026 Developmental Disabilities AwarenessDownload

On October 7, 2025, City Council signed a proclamation recognizing the month of October 2025 as Hindu Heritage Month and encourages residents, educational institutions, and community organizations to observe the month through activities, events, and educational initiatives that promote understanding, cultural exchange, and respect for Hindu traditions and contributions.

Hindu Heritage Month Proclamation 2025

On September 2, 2025, City Council signed a proclamation recognizing the period of September 15 through October 15, 2025 as Hispanic Heritage Month and encouraging residents to support activities that develop understanding and enjoyment of Hispanic heritage, culture, art, and music.

Hispanic Heritage Month Proclamation 2025

On September 2, 2025, City Council signed a proclamation recognizing September 26, 2025 as California Native American Day and encouraging residents to learn more about the music, art, and food of the Native peoples in our region.

California Native American Day Proclamation 2025

On June 3, 2025, City Council signed a proclamation recognizing June 19, 2025 as Juneteenth and the many contributions made by valuable residents and community leaders past and present who are committed to preserving African-American history in the City of Redlands.

Juneteenth Proclamation 2025

On June 3, 2025, City Council signed a proclamation proclaiming June 2025 as Pride Month in recognition of the Anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising and the contributions made by members of the LGBTQ+ community to actively promote the principles of equality and liberty.

LGBTQ+ Pride Month Proclamation 2025

On May 6, 2025, City Council signed a proclamation proclaiming May 2025 as Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the City of Redlands and encourages residents, businesses, and institutions to learn more about Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage, and work to combat racism and xenophobia as we celebrate this month.

Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month Proclamation

On April 1, 2025, City Council signed a proclamation recognizing April 1, 2025 as Dolores Huerta Day in the City of Redlands and encourages all residents to create positive impacts in the community to better the lives of others.

2025 Dolores Huerta Day Proclamation

On April 1, 2025, City Council signed a proclamation recognizing the month of April 2025 to be Autism Acceptance Month in the City of Redlands and invites all residents to celebrate the individuals with autism in our city who are so full of joy, love, and hope.

2025 Autism Acceptance Month Proclamation

On March 18, 2025, City Council signed a proclamation recognizing March 31, 2025 as Cesar E. Chavez Day in the City of Redlands and encourages all residents to promote service to the community in honor of Cesar E. Chavez’s life and work.

2025 Cesar E. Chavez Day Proclamation

On March 4, 2025, City Council signed a proclamation recognizing the month of March 2025 as Developmental Disabilities Awareness month, and hereby encourages all residents, businesses, schools, government agencies, and public and private institutions to recognize the ability of individuals with developmental disabilities to make significant contributions to their communities.

2025 Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month Proclamation

On March 4, 2025, City Council signed a proclamation recognizing the month of March 2025 as Women’s History Month, and hereby encourages its residents to learn more about the rich and diverse history of women through available programs, reading, ceremonies, and educational activities.

2025 Women’s History Month Proclamation

On February 4, 2025, City Council signed a proclamation recognizing the month of February 2025 as Black History Month, and hereby encourages its residents to fight racism, intolerance and prejudice through education, kindness, compassion, and understanding.

2025 Black History Month Proclamation

On March 15, 2022, City Council approved Resolution No. 8315 adopting the six-year Redlands Strategic Plan for FY 22-23 through FY 27-28.  The plan identified Equity and Inclusion as a priority.  The measurable outcomes listed were as follows:

  • Develop and implement a Communications Plan by December 31, 2022.
  • Method established to measure effectiveness of City’s communication methodology to provide baseline for improvement in future years.
  • 100% of City staff receive initial DEI training by December 31, 2023.
  • Comprehensive employee training plan developed.
  • Establish baseline metrics for current staffing demographics in comparison to community.
  • Identify gaps or areas of focus for future recruiting, hiring and training.
  • Develop plan to address the identified gaps.
  • Increased diversity of City workforce.   

Resolution 8315

On July 21, 2020 City Council adopted Resolution No. 8113  Affirming that Racism is a Public Health Crisis.  The issue of racism as a public health crisis came to the forefront following the global response to the May 25, 2020, death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, and the impact of COVID-19 on the Black community and discussions with local community advocates.

The resolution states that racism results in disparities in family stability, health and mental wellness, education, employment, economic development, public safety, criminal justice, and housing.

Resolution 8113

Strategic Plan

2022-2028

Human Relations Commission

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