Committee for Racial Equity and Inclusion

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City of Dover Land Acknowledgment

This meeting takes place at Cocheco (CO-chi-co) within N’dakinna (n-DA-ki-na), now called Dover, New Hampshire, which is the unceded traditional ancestral homeland of the Abenaki (a-BEN-a-ki), Pennacook and Wabanaki Peoples, past and present. We acknowledge and honor with gratitude the land, waterways, living beings, and the Aln8bak (Al-nuh-bak), the people who have stewarded N’dakinna (n-DA-ki-na) for many millennia.”

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The City Council and the City of Dover are committed to eliminating systemic racism and building a stronger community that is safe and welcoming for all people. The City is also committed to being inclusive, representative, and responsive to historically underrepresented and underserved communities, particularly communities of color, immigrants, and refugees. That commitment extends to all City of Dover departments and functions. The City Council’s creation of the Committee for Racial Equity and Inclusion is a step in assisting the City of Dover in fulfilling its commitment by conducting a systematic review of municipal operations and creating actionable items for the City of Dover to execute.

The City Council committed to creating this committee at its June 24, 2020, when the City Council unanimously passed the resolution, “Condemning Racism and Affirming City of Dover’s Commitment to Eliminating Racial Inequities.” This resolution came in the wake of African American George Floyd’s tragic death, who was killed in police custody in Minneapolis, Minnesota. At its Oct. 28, 2020 meeting, the City Council formed the Ad-Hoc Committee for Racial Equity and Inclusion and appointed its members at its Dec. 9, 2020 meeting. At its Feb. 22, 2023, meeting, the City Council made the Committee for Racial Equity and Inclusion a permanent committee. 

Committee Purpose

The purpose and authority of this Committee is to review data, hold listening sessions, and
recommend to the City Council and City Manager, an action plan outlining existing and new
steps to be taken to work to eliminate systemic racism in municipal operations, including
boards and commissions, and foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for all. The
Committee shall work closely with City staff through the City Manager to gather necessary
information on municipal operations, and will coordinate as necessary with the Dover
Schools Racial Equity Vision Keepers Committee. The Committee’s authority and existence shall be advisory.