Richmond joins National League of Cities to advance equity and health, supporting Avula’s MAP

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The City of Richmond announced on Wednesday that it joined a national yearlong initiative to help local areas advance equity, health and well-being, supporting Mayor Danny Avula's Mayoral Action Plan (MAP).

According to a release from the city on Wednesday, Oct. 29, the city joined the National League of Cities’ (NLC) 2025–2026 Cities of Opportunity Community Engagement Academy to support Avula's MAP, expanding civic partnership and improving health for Richmond residents.

“Richmond’s participation in the Cities of Opportunity Community Engagement Academy underscores our city’s commitment to putting people at the center of government,” Avula said. “We’re building a thriving Richmond, where every resident has a voice in shaping our shared future, and this partnership with the National League of Cities will help us make that real.”

The city's Department of Neighborhood and Community Services will work with peer cities and other partners to "assess opportunities, share best practices, and co-design a roadmap for strengthening local engagement and improving quality of life across neighborhoods," per a release.

“We are proud to represent Richmond in this national cohort,” said Tiffany C. Ford, Director of the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services. “This partnership provides an opportunity to strengthen how we listen to residents, align city systems with community priorities, and create sustainable change grounded in trust and collaboration.”

The department reportedly supervises children and family services, homeless services, immigrant and refugee engagement, aging and disability services and neighborhood engagement.

According to a release, the city joined Aurora, Ill., Fort Collins, Colo., New Haven, Ind., North Charleston, S.C., and Takoma Park, Md., as part of the NLC. The Academy's yearlong process includes facilitated workshops, team coaching and an in-person convening in Washington, D.C., in February 2026, officials said.

The MAP as a whole seeks to build a “transparent, accountable and thriving” city after several audit reports detailed issues with its budget management.

For more information about the program, click here.