Decatur named All-America City for projects inspiring equity, inclusion

You know how the saying goes: Decatur is where it’s greater.

And according to the National Civic League, it is.

The city is a winner of the All-America City Award s, a National Civic League award for the best in American city innovation. Winners were chosen based on projects that inspired equity and inclusion within their city.

Decatur showcased three-programs: its “Better Together” initiative for creating an inclusive community, its community policing program and its “I Am Decatur” program.

The “Better Together” program includes a mix of training programs for local business owners. It also proposes diverse dining options for city residents and encourages community members to attend city meetings.

Decatur’s community policing program involved racial-profiling education for city officers, along with events for residents to meet officers.

The “I Am Decatur” program is a collection of 32 portraits and stories from various community residents, detailing their background and lifestyle.

Decatur was chosen for its theme of promoting equity through community engagement, said Renae Madison, the city’s communications specialist. It is “a part of everything we do,” she said.

Here’s a list of the other nine communities that also won the All-American City Award:

■ Springdale, Arkansas

■ Stockton, California

■ Longmont, Colorado

■ Las Vegas

■ Charlotte, North Carolina

■ Kershaw C ounty, South Carolina

■ Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

■ El Paso, Texas

■ San Antonio