FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 15,
2021
MARTA JOINS APTA RACIAL EQUITY COMMITMENT
PILOT PROGRAM
Program Establishes Goals,
Creates Pathway to Advance Racial Equity in Workplace
ATLANTA - The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit
Authority (MARTA) has joined the American Public Transportation Association
(APTA) Racial Equity Commitment Pilot Program to reaffirm its commitment to
racial equity and build on the work done by MARTA’s Office of Diversity &
Inclusion. The two-year program aims to advance racial equity as part of a
comprehensive diversity, equity, and inclusion framework, beyond legal
compliance and with an eye on continuous improvement.
“MARTA is a majority-minority employer, with over 85
percent of our staff identifying as a race other than white,” said MARTA
Interim General Manager & CEO Collie Greenwood. “And while we are pleased
with having a workforce that represents the communities we serve; we recognize
there is room for improvement with regards to establishing practices that
ensure racial equity at all levels of the Authority.”
The core principles of the APTA program are: make racial
equity an explicit strategic priority; undertake an annual diversity, equity,
and inclusion climate assessment; review and analyze demographic data to
develop a baseline on how existing policies, practices, and programs impact
racial equity; put in place evidence-informed policies, practices, programs,
and processes for creating and maintaining an inclusive and equitable
environment; and establish programs, tools, and dedicated resources that engage
executive and board leadership and staff at all levels.
“MARTA is proud to be part of this pilot program. It’s
an opportunity to review and update our policies to ensure we are creating an
equitable work environment and to identify areas where we can improve,” said
MARTA Director of Diversity & Inclusion Paula Nash.
Following the two-year program, APTA will publish
recommendations for improving the commitment program, including establishing
standardized metrics, identifying essential resources, and determining how to
structure recognition levels to measure and reward progress in advancing racial
equity.
In the spirit of racial equity and inclusion, MARTA
announced it will recognize Juneteenth (June 19) as a paid employee holiday.
Juneteenth honors the end of slavery in the U.S. and is the longest-running
African American holiday. As the holiday falls on a Sunday this year, it will
be observed on Monday, June 20.
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