Mayor Martin Walsh Discusses Efforts to Promote Diversity in Boston Governance

Reflecting on his nearly three years as Boston’s mayor, Martin J. Walsh discussed his initiatives to advance diversity in government and his goals for the future of local governance, particularly in light of his bid for reelection in 2017, at the Kennedy School of Government on Monday night.

The Kennedy School’s Center for Public Leadership hosted the event, which was moderated by Patricia S. Bellinger ’83, executive director of the Center for Public Leadership.

Walsh discussed the ways in which his administration has revisited race and diversity in city hall and throughout Boston. Walsh said following his first campaign, he went back to his policy committee and sparked a conversation about addressing systemic racism.

“In Boston, we have a history of racism that goes back pre-busing… We never really dealt with the issue of busing, we never really dealt with the issue of race,” Walsh said. “My equity agenda is based on feedback I’ve received and constructive criticism.”

When asked about components of his agenda, Walsh first turned to residents’ distrust of policing in the city. According to Walsh, the Boston Police Department’s command staff did not reflect the city’s racial diversity. He sought to correct this issue in his first term by increasing the number of officers of color in the force.

Walsh added that the police department has also begun a pilot program in which 100 officers have been selected to wear body cameras to boost transparency and that officers are “more engaged with conflict resolution on the streets, rather than arresting people” in an effort to build trust between officers and residents.

He called the relationship between officers and residents a “two-way street” that involves teaching new officers about race and encouraging them to engage in community events.

Walsh’s vision of increasing diversity in city leadership positions has not been limited to the police force, but has also driven hiring practices in Boston city hall. He said he “[asked] every department head, every cabinet minister to really take a deep look inside government to be fully inclusive [and] to give people opportunities.”

He also emphasized the importance of building pipelines for minorities and marginalized groups to ascend the ranks in municipal government and said he hopes his precedent will “[challenge] the business community to look within its own ranks.”

Walsh extended this theme of diversity to several issues raised in a question and answer session. He also discussed other initiatives of his administration, such as pushing for increased female representation in government and creating additional affordable housing throughout the city.

While Walsh said his administration has made “some gains” in increasing diversity in local government during his tenure, he thinks there is still room for growth.

“I’m not afraid to try anything, because it’s important,” he said.