The Bellevue City Council recently received a briefing from the Centering Communities of Color Coordinating Team on community dialogues that contributed to shaping proposed changes to the city's Diversity Advantage Plan. The dialogues identified affordable housing, community spaces that foster a sense of belonging, and increased investment in community support and partners as key areas for change, according to the city's recent report.
The Diversity Advantage Plan, introduced in 2014, has been a key element of Bellevue's efforts to address diversity, equity, and inclusion. It led to the formation of the Diversity Advantage Team and the Bellevue Diversity Advisory Network, which have contributed to expanding outreach and promoting cultural diversity within the city. The city council is expecting a comprehensive update to the plan later this year, with city departments preparing biennial action steps to track progress.
Bellevue's demographic landscape is diverse, with people of color making up nearly 60% of the population. However, these communities, along with individuals who speak a language other than English at home and those with disabilities, experience disparities in income, homeownership, and employment outcomes. The revised Diversity Advantage Plan aims to address these disparities.
