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As president of the National Civic League, I am thrilled to personally congratulate Las Vegas on being selected as a finalist for the All-America City Award. Las Vegas has shown its ability to involve all parts of the community in decision-making and efforts to improve equity when it comes to quality of life and opportunities for good health and prosperity for all.
The awards were created in 1949 by George Gallup and others to celebrate a “Super Bowl for cities.” Each year, 10 communities receive this recognition for inclusive civic engagement to address crucial issues and create stronger connections among residents, businesses, and nonprofit and government leaders. I’ve never experienced such a powerful sense of hope, unity and engagement as I have with the nominations for the All-America City Awards.
Like many communities, Las Vegas is showing that important and innovative work to address critical issues still takes place at the local level. The local level stands in contrast to the federal level, which has seen many years of conflict and slow progress on many of the nation’s toughest challenges.
When we reviewed the applications from across the country, Las Vegas stood out because of its efforts to provide residents, stakeholders, staff and elected officials with a collective vision and plans for a future of income equality and economic mobility, building programs and services that remove barriers and address challenges faced by their most vulnerable youth.
Las Vegas demonstrated its commitment to inclusive civic engagement and equity through the three projects submitted for consideration.
• The Harbor, a Juvenile Assessment Center, collaboratively addresses disproportionate minority contact and diverts youth from the juvenile justice system.
• “Our Stories” is a book developed by the Westside School Alumni Foundation to commemorate the first Las Vegas school to open its doors to black and Native American students. It is a testament to Las Vegas’ ongoing efforts to facilitate racial healing and community dialogue.
• ReInvent Schools Las Vegas is a collaboration targeting health and wellness, truancy, literacy and educational equity.
Since no city has been designated in Nevada, this recognition would make Las Vegas the first. Again, congratulations on being a finalist, and we look forward to your presentation at our awards competition Saturday and Sunday. You should be proud of your good work, and we look forward to sharing it with the rest of the nation.
Doug Linkhart is president of the National Civic League.