In light of LA Mayor Eric Garcetti’s “Racial Equity Executive Directive No. 27,” which mandated all City Departments to develop a Racial Equity Action Plan (REAP), on August 2020, the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP) sought the expertise of Dakota Communications to support their efforts in diversifying their staff and fostering an inclusive, equitable environment that empowered a thriving workforce.

As part of this crucial collaboration, Dakota developed a comprehensive, strategic outreach plan that entailed a thorough review of LADWP’s operations, practices, policies, procedures, and engagement with its workforce and other department stakeholders. By facilitating interviews, focus groups, and an analysis of survey data from over 11,000 employees, Dakota identified areas that were in great need of improvement within the culture, hiring, recruitment and promotions, training and mentoring.

Based on the findings from these initial studies, Dakota provided key recommendations that helped promote a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace that fundamentally strived to encourage employees from different backgrounds to thrive and seek leadership/career advancement opportunities at LADWP.

Through Dakota’s strategic direction towards diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), LADWP expanded their role and presence in the local community while coordinating engagement opportunities with leading community-based organizations for LADWP’s leadership to connect with community members and other key stakeholders at special events. Presently, Dakota Communications continues to support LADWP in their ongoing advocacy efforts towards diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).