The goal is to help Dover become a more inclusive and welcoming city.
The committee was formed last year by the City Council passing a resolution in the wake of George Floyd being killed in Minneapolis by police officer Derek Chauvin, who was convicted this week of murder. The resolution affirmed that the city would condemn racism and affirm its commitment to eliminating racial inequities.
Co-chairs Dan Pontoh and Lina Shayo are leading the group, drawing on each member s diverse experience and knowledge to identify and make key recommendations to eliminate outdated policies that may contribute to systemic racism in municipal operations, and to offer new solutions for the city to be more representative and responsive to historically underrepresented and underserved communities, particularly communities of color, immigrants, and refugees.