The Institute for Urban Policy Research is guided by the belief that the solutions to our city’s challenges live in the wisdom and experiences of the residents. In this report we offer an unprecedented analysis of cross-sector data that highlights the disparities in our city.add more here. However, having quality data is only one-step. Data cannot fully contextualize or solve deep-seeded structural and institutional racism. The changes required to make Dallas an equitable city lies in the courage and commitment of policy-makers and elected officials. The times we live in continue to challenge us, as a society, to engage courageously the questions of race, racial domination and racial exploitation. The effects of interlocking race, class, gender, and sexuality oppression are pervasive and evident in every aspect of life. In this time of rapid growth and development in the city, we must ask ourselves, who is bearing the greatest burden? Local artist, Giovanni Valderas, recently launched the Casita Triste (Sad Little House) project in which he places colorful house shaped pinatas on construction sites throughout Oak Cliff where low-income families have been displaced by new development projects. His goal is to amplify the impact of gentrification and neglect communities of color are experiencing. The city of Dallas has a long and painful history of creating and maintaining inequities through policies and practices. Add some key findings that amplify this point.

The future of this city lies in acknowledging this legacy and choosing a different path forward. How will we work together to systematically dismantle the policies, practices and ideologies that have created and continue to maintain inequities highlighted in this report? In the words of Grace Lee Boggs, “Love isn’t about what we did yesterday; it’s about what we do today and tomorrow and the day after.” We believe an essential next step is to convene a cross-sector group of residents, policymakers and advocates to begin developing policies and actionable interventions that improve outcomes for the most vulnerable amongst us, and create a just and equitable city.