ORLANDO, Fla. — The City of Orlando is ramping up its goal to ensure equality across city government and in the community.
What You Need To Know
- Merchon Green is Orlando’s first EquityOfficial
- She has worked to fight systemic racism
- Learn more how Spectrum News is celebrating Black History Month
This Black History Month, Spectrum News 13 is highlighting a new city position to accomplish that goal.
The City of Orlando's "Equity Official" job posting from October stated the person will "seek to normalize social and racial equity within city government and within our community."
Mayor Buddy Dyer said the position was years in the making.
“The process was really accelerated after the murder of George Floyd in the spring and the demonstrations that we had," he said.
Thrilled to welcome Merchon Green as @citybeautiful's first Equity Official. She'll help lead the efforts to embed equity into all we do as a gov't as we work to ensure Orlando is a city where each resident is equally valued and protected and has equitable access to opportunity. pic.twitter.com/ZiIMfubg4U
— Mayor Buddy Dyer (@orlandomayor) January 12, 2021
The mayor said the city does a good job ensuring racial equality, but it can do better.
“We know that systemic racism exists within our community and in the country, and it’s our effort to look at policies, procedures and how departments function to identify ways we can eliminate systemic racism," he said.
Merchon Green just arrived in Orlando for the job, saying she knows the pain protestors in Orlando and across the country felt after the deaths of Floyd and Breonna Taylor.
“We should not be losing innocent people when police show up," she said.
Green is from the Black community of Gifford in Indian River County, where she says a family member died at the hands of police, and another family member was a victim of violent teens.
That got her involved in activism, eventually serving on an equity committee, skills she'll use in her new job.
“I plan on having a lot of discussions because that will also help with insight and then having joint discussions, not only with just the community, or just the police or just with various organizations, but bringing everyone together and having dialogue," Green said.
Community activist Eric Brown was one of the thousands supporting Black Lives Matter last summer.
“Not just Black Lives Matter, but black empowerment, economics, education," he said.
Brown said there has been little progress since the summer, and he looks forward to meeting Green soon and working with her.
“Like Dr. King says this is an everyday work, and we gotta keep on going until change happens," Green said.
After months of conversations and a closer look at existing policies, Green will then make recommendations to Orlando leaders as the city charts a path forward.
“I’m passionate about making sure that everyone is put in a position to win," Green said.
Dyer said there are two outside agencies taking a closer look at Orlando Police Department policies and procedures involving equity.
Green will also be working with them to figure out solutions.