The appearance of Northern Virginia as a haven of affluence and upward mobility is shattered when examining census data, which reveals disparities in education, health, housing, economic resources, and more. A 2017 report from the Northern Virginia Health Foundation identified 15 “islands of disadvantage” across the region – clusters of adjacent census tracts where affluence and upward mobility rub shoulders with communities struggling with poverty and inequity. Two of these “islands of disadvantage” are located in the City of Alexandria. 

In many instances, the disparities within Alexandria are just a few blocks apart. In 2011, in one Census tract separated by W. Glebe Road, the median household income was nearly $166,000; just across the road, the median household income was $49,370. More recent Census data show that racial disparities persist in educational attainment, household income, and other areas: 

• In the City of Alexandria, white median household income ($122,401) more than doubled that of Hispanic or Latinx ($60,637) and Black or African American ($58,821) households. White households earned approximately 15% more than Asian households ($104,043).  Source: American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates 2018
• Poverty was higher among Blacks or African Americans (34%), which represented only 20 percent of Alexandria’s population, and among the Hispanic or Latinx group (29%), which made up only 16% of the population. By comparison, poverty among whites was 20%, even though whites made up 49% of the city’s population. Source: ACS 5-Year Estimates 2018 
• More members of the white (39%) and Asian (30%) populations  received bachelor’s degrees compared to Black or African American (22%) and Hispanic or Latinx (14%) groups. Similarly, more white (47%) and Asian (39%) populations received graduate or professional degrees compared to Black or African American (14%) and Hispanic or Latinx (12%) populations. Source: Latest Available ACS 1-Year Estimates 2016-2018 

But data is only part of the picture; it does not help us understand how and where the City can tackle inequity. Programmatic data, collected through the City, coupled with community engagement, and using proven and tested tools and best practices, can help Alexandria.

To understand these disparities, as City government and as a community we need to take an honest look at history, and the systemic and institutional nature of disproportionality across all indicators of life and well-being. This is not just a Northern Virginia problem or a City of Alexandria problem: it is a national and global concern, deeply rooted in racism and anti-blackness.  

We must thoroughly understand that people are not the problem, it is the systems and institutions (including government), and the policies and practices that they have created, perpetuated and maintained that lead to these outcomes.

Alexandria is a caring, kind, compassionate, fair, just, and equitable city that is an affordable, livable community for ALL.

Reduce and eliminate disparities and inequities experienced by ALL Alexandria residents, especially residents of color and those that have been historically and systemically marginalized.

The Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE) normalize, organize, operationalize, national best practice is being used by more than 200 local, regional, and state government jurisdictions across the country to achieve racial equity and advance opportunities for all. This Theory of Action will help to drive the City’s efforts to develop a framework for action to achieve racial and social equity.   

• Normalize concepts and conversations around race, incorporating conversations around race at every turn and opportunity within city government and in the community; making ourselves more comfortable with naming race as a key indicator and predictor for how well people do.
• Organize City staff, with involvement and input from the Alexandria community, around advancing equity throughout City government, and consequently, in the community.
• Operationalize  Moving from racial equity theory to action, by using local data and racial equity tools, to develop and implement equitable policies, programs, and procedures across City government and the community.