The City of Bloomington has chosen the Center for Equity and Inclusion to lead anti-racism training for elected officials and department heads.
City Communications Director Yael Ksander said seven providers responded to two separate requests for qualifications in 2020, and the Portland, Oregon-based company was selected after all applicants were interviewed.
She said CEI stood out for a number of reasons.
“For one thing, they were founded in 2015,” Ksander said. “They’ve worked with 100 organizations including nonprofits, foundations, and other organizations, and specifically have experience with municipal entities.”
The committee reviewing applications consisted of City Clerk Nicole Bolden, Community and Family Resources Director Beverly Calender-Anderson, Human Resources Director Caroline Shaw, and then-City Council President Steve Volan.
CEI signed a deal with the city on April 30 for a 12-month, transformative process that will cost $158,460.
Members of Black Lives Matter Bloomington created an anti-racist policy training and offered it to elected officials in 2020, but the city did not accept it. However, last October the Monroe County Commissioners approved a one-day training with Black Lives Matter Bloomington for $6,000.
