WMSBF February 2020 How the City of Grand Rapids Invests in Sustainability and Equity Event

"West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum will highlight the importance of environmental sustainability and equity within the City of Grand Rapids new strategic plan and programs at its monthly forum on Monday, February 10, at the The Rapid Central Station in downtown Grand Rapids. The featured speaker is City Manager Mark Washington. Since being appointed to the role in October 2018, Washington has led a strategic planning effort that is better positioning Grand Rapids as a a nationally recognized equitable, welcoming, innovative and collaborative City with a robust economy, safe and healthy community, and the opportunity for a high quality of life for all. As City Manager, he functions as the Chief Executive Officer for the Municipal Corporation and oversees the $540M budget, workforce of 1,500 employees and all city departments, operations, policies, and programs related to public safety, economic development, community services, mobility, infrastructure, health, environment, recreation and community engagement. He previously served as Assistant City Manager for the City of Austin, Texas, where he provided executive leadership on labor contract negotiations, improving police oversight and community relations, hosting and planning large events such as South by Southwest (SXSW) and creating public-private partnerships to address civic challenges such as equity, homelessness, digital inclusion, housing/tenant rights, right-of-way uses for disruptive technology and workforce development for marginalized populations. He first became familiar with Grand Rapids in 2016 when he visited as part of the City of Austin’s work with the Racial Equity Here initiative, of which the City of Grand Rapids is a participant."