Equity and Inclusion

In recent years, Equity and Inclusion has become one of the primary foci for the Town of Davidson. In response to town residents’ rising interest and their desire to thoughtfully approach the complicated history of our town, state, and country, and also carefully consider what meaningful actions we can all take together to bring us to a more equitable and inclusive community, the board of commissioners named Equity and Inclusion as one of its six main goal areas in its 2020-21 strategic plan.

Equity strategic plan graphic

2020-21 Strategic Plan Goal: Work together to create a culture of belonging, address our past inequities, provide opportunities for all, treat everyone with respect and dignity and recognize every voice

Objective:

  • Increase staff awareness and understanding of equity and inclusion
  • Openness and acceptance of the community toward people of diverse backgrounds
  • Increase number of affordable housing units annually by X percent
  • Achieve appointed commissions with composition that is reflective of community characteristics

Top strategies:

  • Develop affordable housing plan
  • Establish an affordable housing manager/equity position (completed Fall 2020)
  • Develop a formal equity and inclusion training program for staff, town board, and appointed commissions
  • Establish a living wage certification program
  • Revise boards and commissions appointment process to reflect community characteristics

In October 2020, the Town of Davidson announced the hiring of Eugene L. Bradley as the town’s first Housing and Equity Director. In this key position, Eugene will lead the town’s affordable housing and racial equity programs. This role will be responsible for developing and implementing affordable housing strategies as well as a racial equity action plan. In addition to developing overall strategies for affordable housing and racial equity, Eugene will be responsible for working with and providing information to individuals who wish to rent or purchase affordable homes, organizations that support affordable housing, and developers who build affordable housing.


Housing and Equity Director, Eugene Bradley

Housing and Equity Director, Eugene Bradley

Eugene Bradley began his tenure as the Town of Davidson’s Housing and Equity Director in October 2020 after working as the City of Charlotte’s Aviation Department Community Affairs Manager. There, he was responsible for increasing the airport’s presence and partnerships with the surrounding businesses, neighborhoods, and community organizations.


Eugene is responsible for the town’s affordable housing and racial equity programs, specifically, developing and implementing affordable housing strategies and developing a racial equity action plan. In addition, he works with individuals interested in renting or purchasing affordable homes in Davidson and provides information to both organizations that support affordable housing and developers who build affordable housing.

To contact Eugene, email him at: ebradley@townofdavidson.org

 

Affordable Housing and Equity Advisory Board

The role of the Affordable Housing and Equity Board is to provide support, advice, and recommendations to town staff on any and all issues surrounding affordable housing as well as the town’s racial equity work. The Affordable Housing and Equity Board will help guide the town’s work on affordable housing and equity and inclusion, providing input and guidance for the town board’s strategic objective to prioritize equity and inclusion and create a culture of belonging, address past inequities, and treat everyone with respect and dignity.

 

Town Initiatives Supporting Equity & Inclusion