Commitment to Racial Equity

The Borough of Leonia is committed to ensuring that it identifies and roots out both institutional and individual racism wherever it may exist. We are proud of our community's diversity, and Leonia's municipal government is determined to show consistent, meaningful leadership in this ongoing issue.

Resolution Declaring Racism as a Public Health Crisis 

On June 1, 2020, Leonia became the first community in New Jersey to declare racism as a public health crisis. The resolution contains specific actions that Leonia's Mayor and Council are and will continue to take to make progress in dismantling racism in all its forms.

You can read a copy of the Borough Resolution 2020-124, here.

On June 4, 2020, then acting Mayor Judah Zeigler convened a Town Hall meeting on racial equity. Panelists of various backgrounds provided their perspectives and experiences, and many of the 293 households (representing hundreds of Leonians) who participated also spoke and offered experiences, thoughts, and ideas. You can view a recording of it here.

On June 24, 2020, Mayor Zeigler hosted a special Town Hall meeting on racism and racial equity. Thanks to volunteer translators, the meeting was held both in English and Korean. Approximately 80 households attended, and shared their comments, concerns, issues and suggestions directly with the Mayor.

View Video Recording - Korean-Language Town Hall Meeting on Racism and Racial Equality

In July 2020, in order to assist the Borough with its efforts to ensure that issues of racial equity remain a consistent priority, Mayor Zeigler established the Mayor's Advisory Committee on Race and Equity (MACORE). The Committee works to develop concrete action plans against the priorities established in the Borough’s resolution 2020-124 (declaring Racism as a public health crisis), and ensure that accountability is maintained both for the municipal government and for all residents of our community.  The committee seeks to advance equity with regard to race as well as for all protected classes of people within our community.

The Committee is comprised of individuals who, collectively, represent the diversity of Leonia as a whole. Initial Committee appointments were announced at the July 6, 2020 meeting of the Leonia Mayor and Council and are reappointed and revised each calendar year.

You can find more information on this Committee here.