The Bellevue City Council has taken a definitive step towards shaping a future that embraces diversity and equity, recently adopting the Diversity Advantage Plan 2035. This strategic initiative aims to carve out a more equitable community in what’s been acknowledged as one of America’s most diverse cities.
Structured around six strategic target areas, the DAP 2035 lays out 41 equity objectives that Bellevue hopes to meaningfully drive forward over the next decade. Fundamental to this plan is the city’s pledge to more authentically engage with its diverse population, build in increased access to city services, and provide resources for staff to consistently apply an equity lens in city operations. According to a statement on the City of Bellevue’s official website, the initiative also aims to intertwine equity efforts with the city’s strategic priorities, ensure measurable progress, and maintain transparent communication regarding these priorities to the public and staff alike.
As part of the process that led to the adoption of the DAP 2035, Bellevue’s leadership emphasized a community-first approach, drawing insights from a collaborative effort involving the Centering Communities of Color Coordinating Team and separate engagements for staff and community feedback. These inputs shaped the groundwork for the preliminary report, which was made public in an open house on November 20, moving the conversation prior to its formal presentation to the council on November 25. The city is now set on identifying immediate actions that serve as stepping stones towards the longer-term objectives of the plan…