The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) has welcomed the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) to its Racial Equity Commitment Pilot Program, reaffirming MARTA’s 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 and 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 and 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. As the holiday falls on a Sunday this year, it will be observed on Monday, June 20.
