An Update on the Town’s Anti-Racism Initiative

The Needham Unite Against Racism Initiative (NUARI) was launched in 2020 amid the national reckoning that followed the murder of George Floyd. It not only started an open conversation where residents shared their personal experiences with racism, but also brought together community leaders from a diverse background to lay out a roadmap that can help Needham become an inclusive and equitable place.

During the past few years, the NUARI working group has made a list of recommendations on areas such as diversity on town leadership and municipal employees, policing, schools and housing.

In this interview, NUARI members —- Select Board Chair Marianne Cooley and Vice Chair Marcus Nelson —– detailed the progress that has been made and the work ahead.