Protestors marching in the streets

Office of Equity and Inclusion

Austin is committed to becoming the most livable city for all identities by fostering a culture of inclusivity and systemic change. This commitment is reflected in the City’s efforts to improve the quality of life for all Austinites.  

The Office of Equity and Inclusion has 3 divisions within its office: Human Rights Division, Equity Division (formerly the Equity Office) and the Civil Rights Division (formerly the Office of Civil Rights). 

Venn Diagram of 3 circles representing the 3 division of the Office of Equity and Inclusion - Human Rights in dark blue, Civil Rights in light green, and Equity in dark green. Office of Equity and Inclusion sits in the middle of the Venn Diagram.

Our Mission

The mission of the Office of Equity and Inclusion is to transform systems to increase access, remove barriers to opportunity, address discrimination, and foster a community where all identities are respected.  AEI oversees racial equity work, immigrant affairs, veterans, fair housing, equal employment, fair chance hiring, ADA-title II, title VI, public accommodation, CROWN Act and tenants’ right to organize. AEI also ensures full compliance with applicable state and federal mandates, including local city ordinances, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 

 

Civil Rights  

We champion fairness and equity by:  

  • Upholding anti-discrimination laws across critical areas like employment, housing, fair chance hiring, public accommodations, and tenants’ rights to organize.  
  • Collaborating through community engagement to build lasting partnerships that drive meaningful change.  
  • Educating the public to foster awareness, understanding, and action against discrimination.  

Every step is grounded in dignity, respect, and a shared commitment to justice.   

 

Human Rights   

We advance the rights and freedoms of all Austinites by:

  • Promoting dignity, safety, and belonging for every resident.
  • Ensuring all people—regardless of background or identity—are free from discrimination and able to fully participate in public life.
  • Expanding access to services, promoting inclusion, and removing systemic barriers to opportunity.
  • Connecting residents to their rights, essential resources, and tools to navigate complex systems.
  • Leading the “We All Belong” campaign to strengthen civic engagement and foster a shared sense of belonging.

 

Equity

We promote racial equity across the City of Austin through:

  • Consulting with all City departments on projects to build capacity and leadership
  • Provide training alongside City staff, non-profits, and other community individuals and organizations to examine their policies, practices and procedures with a racial equity lens
  • Examine quality of life outcomes for Austinites and collaborate with City staff, community members and organizations, and boards and commissions to examine data and address gaps in outcomes across diverse communities in Austin

 

Division History   

The Civil Rights Division has served the Austin community and surrounding areas since 1967 with the primary goal of promoting the fair treatment of all individuals. In 2020, the City of Austin created the Office of Civil Rights to help protect people from discrimination in jobs, housing and public services. In 2024, the City Manager restructured the Office of Civil Rights and the Equity Office to create the Office of Equity and Inclusion. AEI is a civil rights enforcement agency dedicated to protecting individuals from discrimination and ensuring equal rights for all. Its primary role is to enforce civil rights laws across areas like employment, housing, education, public accommodations, tenants’ right to organize and fair chance hiring interactions. 

Under the leadership of City Manager, T.C. Broadnax, the creation of the Human Rights Division represents a strategic evolution in the City of Austin’s equity infrastructure. Following the merger of the Office of Civil Rights and Office of Equity, the newly formed Office of Equity and Inclusion now houses three essential divisions - Equity, Civil Rights, and Human Rights. The birth of the Human Rights Division came into fruition end of March 2025, with the hire of the City’s first appointed Human Rights Officer, in alignment with Goal 6 of the City Manager’s Top 25 Goals. This structural realignment strengthens the City’s capacity to institutionalize inclusive policies, proactively address systemic inequities, and build a local government that ensures all Austinites are seen, respected, and empowered to thrive. 

The Equity Division within the Office of Equity and Inclusion leads citywide efforts to embed equity into policies, programs, and services, with a focus on eliminating institutional racism and implicit bias. Guided by the City’s Equity Statement—co-created with over 200 community members—the division works to ensure race no longer predicts quality-of-life outcomes by providing trainings, consultations, and tools such as the Equity Assessment Tool. Each year, the division trains more than 500 people and advises on over 600 initiatives, partnering with departments, institutions, and community organizations to build lasting capacity for equity.