Together, We Are San Mateo

The City of San Mateo prides itself on being a vibrant, diverse community that is committed to equity and inclusivity, and stands firmly against all forms of racism, anti-immigrant sentiment, xenophobia and implicit bias. Respect, integrity, transparency and inclusivity are core values of our organization. We believe we are stronger as a community that is inclusive of all people, regardless of skin color, gender, sexual orientation or ethnicity.

In the midst of an ongoing pandemic and economic recession, we are confronted with the legacy of the lack of progress we as a nation have made in addressing discrimination in our society and institutions. San Mateo does not need to accept this legacy as our own. We know collective action is needed to effect meaningful systematic change and create a more just system for all. Our organization is here for our community – here to listen and carefully reflect on actions we can collectively take to contribute to a better San Mateo for all.

City Actions to Support Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

San Mateo Together - United Against Hate Week

United Against Hate Week is an initiative that started in 2017 to combat hate and racial injustice within our communities. The City of San Mateo has been an active member of the annual United Against Hate Week since 2019. 

This year, United Against Hate Week is celebrated from November 12 to November 18. In celebration of United Against Hate Week, all are invited to meet authors of books and attend film screenings that celebrate diversity and belonging. There are virtual and in-person options for you to participate! 

You can also participate year-round by downloading your own San Mateo Stands United Against Hate poster to display. 

Our librarians have compiled reading lists for all ages. Check out these free resources from our San Mateo Public Library!

• Nonfiction
• Fiction
• Young Adult
• Children
• DVDs, films, and video

City DEI Strategic Framework

On May 15, 2023, City Council approved our City’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Strategic Framework report, which illustrates our commitment to supporting a culture of belonging and provides staff with guidance on how to integrate DEI into City Operations. The framework is a step-by-step guide to implementing and evaluating equity in our City’s policies, programs, and projects to ensure we are approaching our work with an equitable lens. It addresses the ultimate questions of what are we doing, why are we doing it, and will our plans result in the intended outcomes. 

In addition to the framework, the report also includes educational segments, such as a demographic analysis of the community and how we define diversity, equity, and inclusion, for both the community and staff to learn from. This framework is our first step in creating meaningful and long-lasting positive change!

Council Resolutions 

In November 2019, the City Council unanimously voted to join the United Against Hate movement and kicked off this commitment with a San Mateo-themed poster and photo contest. Community members can download the San Mateo United Against Hate poster to display in solidarity.

On April 20, 2020, the City Council adopted a resolution to denounce stigmatization, hateful racism and xenophobia. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, many Asian American and immigrant communities have feared being targets of xenophobia, anti-immigrant sentiments and racism. City officials have spoken in support of our community and denounce any harmful or discriminatory acts – especially during this global health crisis.

On July 20, 2020, the City Council adopted a resolution declaring that black lives matter, and reaffirming the City’s commitment to racial equality. This resolution was written in collaboration with numerous leaders from our faith, NAACP, nonprofit and law enforcement communities.

Policing in San Mateo

In response to civil unrest and community concerns following the death of George Floyd, the San Mateo Police Department began the Real Talk San Mateo series. You can watch these virtual sessions online. The Police Department also set up an accountability web page where they provide demographic information about arrests, use of force, calls for service and officers. 

Internal Staff 

In late 2020, the City established a new internal staff Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee. The interdepartmental group is tasked with advancing DEI in the workplace.