Troy Smith, who started in June as Natick’s first director of equity, inclusion & outreach, devoted his early months on the job “listening, learning, and engaging” to get a feel for what the town needed from him and what he could do for it. While we’ve run into Smith at various town events, including the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Celebration, we bided our time arranging a sit-down meeting, giving the former North Shore Community College sociology professor a chance to get the lay of the land.
Notification last month that Natick had been selected to participate in the Massachusetts Racial Equity Advancement & Collaborative Hub (REACH)—which features a kickoff event in Boston on Valentine’s Day—provided just the right reason to get together with Smith recently at Sweetwaters to discuss that program, and get other updates on Natick’s diversity efforts.
Troy Smith, Natick’s director of equity, inclusion, and outreach, speaking at an event he spearheaded in August honoring the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington
One thing we’d been curious about was the town’s efforts to pull together a permanent Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee, as recommended by an earlier task force formed in the wake of George Floyd’s murder. The town had a challenging time finding candidates for such a committee, and decided in 2022 to hold off until it first found a director. Though now that Smith’s in place as director, he says a committee may or may not be the right approach for the town, with focused working groups perhaps being a more effective or nimble way forward.
Participation in the REACH program might also inform Natick’s approach, says Smith, who in addition to teaching has been very involved in various anti-bias and anti-violence activities during his career. He and other town representatives from various departments and parts of the community will have a chance through REACH to compare notes with peers from other communities addressing equity and diversity challenges, such as hiring and use of funds. This work will build on Natick’s earlier efforts to craft a diversity, equity and inclusion roadmap and infrastructure through its 2020 selection into the Racial Equity Municipal Action Plan (REMAP) grant program from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council.
“There is continuous work to be done,” Smith says.
That includes figuring out whether something like the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee conceived before his arrival will be the right approach for the town, or whether those participating in the REACH program might come away with other ideas. For example, other communities have undertaken or are undertaking equity audits to establish a baseline of their performance in diversity, equity, and inclusion that will give them something to measure progress against (Wellesley is among these communities doing an audit).
Smith says his introduction to Natick has been aided by “a lot of good will” from the community, including the usual suspects among nonprofits like SPARK Kindness and Natick Service Council that share many common goals on the equity, inclusion and outreach fronts. But also perhaps less obvious organizations, like the gardening club.
“It’s all about building these relationships,” he says.
Within town government, addressing equity and related issues is a part of the day-to-day operations of many departments, such as human resources and public health, so Smith has looked to partner both internally and externally. Early evidence of Smith’s ability to foster collaboration was his spearheading of an event just a couple of months into the job that honored the 60th anniversary of the March of Washington, and in this case concluded with comments, film clips, and music at Morse Institute Library. At the Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration, Smith introduced the keynote speaker and took part in a community reading of MLK quotes alongside Natick Police Chief James Hicks, Natick is United’s Myriam Hernandez Jennings, and others.
Smith says there’s plenty of other work to be done in learning, listening, and engaging in town not just with those who are already involved in government and other activities, but with those residents in areas of town who are less involved.
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This is impressive. It sounds like Natick is taking these efforts seriously and working to integrate the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging into the very fabric of the community/city.
Mr. Smith’s efforts at collaboration will bear fruit that will not only benefit Natick…but surrounding communities. He is definitely the right fit for community of Natick.
Troy Smith,
“Your dedication to promoting equity and inclusion in our community is truly inspiring.” Thank you for your commitment to making Natick a more welcoming and inclusive place for all.”
– “Your leadership and passion for social justice are making a real difference in the lives of residents. Keep up the great work, Troy!”
– “The impact of your efforts in fostering diversity and equity in Natick is evident and commendable. Your work is creating a more harmonious and understanding community.”
– “Thank you for your tireless advocacy and dedication to building a more inclusive environment for all individuals in your town. Your contributions are invaluable.”
– “Your initiatives and events celebrating important milestones in civil rights history are both empowering and educational. Your work is helping to shape a more just and equitable future for Natick.”
Arlesa Ferguson