Definitions

Diversity — The differences that make us human, including race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, nationality, socioeconomic status, language, (dis)ability, age, religious commitment, or political perspective.

Equity — Promoting justice, impartiality and fairness within institutions and systems.

Inclusion — An outcome to ensure those who are diverse are welcomed and have opportunity.

Racial Equity — Eliminates racial disparities and improves outcomes for everyone. For government, it is the intentional and continual practice of changing policies, practices, systems, and structures by prioritizing measurable change in the lives of people of color.

For more information, see the What Is Racial Equity page of the organization Race Forward.

Government Alliance on Race and Equity

The town is a member of the Government Alliance on Race and Equity, a national network of governments that works to achieve racial equity and advance opportunities for all.

Orange County

In 2020, Hillsborough worked with Carrboro, Chapel Hill and Orange County to develop the One Orange Countywide Racial Equity Framework: Catalyst for Moving Forward. The framework:

• Provides tools to highlight potential disparities when creating or evaluating policies, practices, services and initiatives.
• Serves as a basis for creating racial equity plans specific to each jurisdiction.

A racial equity dashboard for Orange County is being used by the county’s four jurisdictions in their work to move the community toward increased equity under the One Orange County Racial Equity Framework.

DEI Core Team

The Hillsborough Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Core Team is made up of staff members who strive to illuminate disparities, build trust and lead actions to remove barriers and promote diversity, equity and inclusion in the town’s workforce, policies and community.

The team is led by the town's administrative services director and human resources manager. The team meets monthly to:

• Develop goals for improving diversity, equity and inclusion in Hillsborough.
• Define and implement a racial equity action plan.
• Advise, participate in and facilitate diversity, equity and inclusion trainings.
• Plan and lead community engagement regarding diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Gather baseline data.

For questions or to report concerns, contact the team's leadership.