The blue city hires an equity trainer who claims the US military is a bastion of white supremacy as part of its cultural transformation efforts.

A city in New Mexico is undergoing a "culture shift" in governance, with the aid of a far-left equity consultant, as critical race theory is being integrated into the government's operations.

After being elected in 2017, Albuquerque Democratic Mayor Tim Keller pledged to reform the government with antiracist principles.

"From the start of our administration, we recognized that inequality was increasing and that we would need to shift the culture," he stated. "When has learning and development ever been comfortable?"

In March 2018, Keller founded the Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI) to achieve his vision of racial equity. However, the office's trainings on critical race theory caused some employees to feel uncomfortable, as stated in the 2021 report by the OEI director.

Zamil Salhab from RACED Consulting, who holds far-left views such as the U.S. military being the "home of White supremacy," was one of the equity consultants hired. Salhab identifies as genderqueer, a first-generation American, and a Post 9-11 veteran, as stated on the RACED Consulting website.

"Salhab, a first-generation black and queer individual, was unaware of the damage they were causing to themselves while serving in the military, which she believed was the home of white supremacy and patriarchy. She realized that society taught Black bodies to be less than human and that being a woman added another layer of oppression. For a time, she thought she was crazy as she struggled to deconstruct herself after leaving the service."

RACED Consulting LLC was contracted with by the Office of Equity and Inclusion, as confirmed by the city.

According to its website, RACED Consulting specializes in the area of "white fragility."

The website states that we will examine the impact of white fragility on building racially inclusive practices and share personal experiences with its effects on individuals and those around them.

Another area of expertise is "De-Centering Whiteness," "Interrupting White Supremacy," and "Interrupting Whiteness."

Although high-level employees did not attend the CRT training, RACED Consulting reported in the city's 2021 report that low-level employees received extensive training.

The process of dismantling white supremacy behaviors involves both external and internal components, as noted in the report. However, department directors and city leadership were absent from the 2021 RACED sessions, according to the consulting section.

The Culture Change Initiative requires investment that extends beyond monetary means and considers the intangible costs and benefits of fostering true relationships throughout the city and beyond to create a deep and sustainable culture change, as stated in the official report of Albuquerque city government.

The diversity, equity and inclusion head stated that some city employees are uncomfortable with Keller's racial agenda.

"The Office of Equity and Inclusion's director, Michelle Melendez, stated that there is a small but vocal resistance to addressing racism within municipal government. She emphasized that systemic racism is a root cause of some of the city's most significant challenges and that addressing it will lead to a better future for the city. This, she said, is a culture change."

The report stated that there is a greater acceptance and willingness to discuss anti-racism and social justice issues.

In order to transform the culture, each department was assigned a DEI liaison who underwent extensive training for 10 months prior to commencing their duties.

"The report stated that shifting the culture of institutions is extremely challenging, and only those liaisons who completed 10 months of training and technical assistance were able to introduce and move forward equity work in their respective departments."

The equity liaison included several departments, such as animal welfare, environmental health, transit, and the police department.

Each department created their own "racial equity action plan" that addressed their practices, policies, expenditures, and resource distribution.

According to OEI Director Melendez, employees were hesitant to openly discuss race and racism before Keller's election in 2017.

The report stated that the City's capacity to work toward equitable outcomes was enhanced by the Culture Change Initiative.

RACED Consulting and the City of Albuquerque didn't immediately respond for comment.