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Katie Strong (left) and April Weeks look at the schedule to decide where they are off to next during the Decatur Book Festival. File Photo: Jonathan Phillips

The National Civic League has named Decatur, Ga. as one of 20 finalists for its 2018 All-America City Award.

“The award, given to 10 communities each year, celebrates and recognizes communities that engage residents in innovative, inclusive and effective efforts to tackle critical challenges,” a press release from the city says. “AAC Award recipients serve as models in practicing inclusive civic engagement and creating community connections.”

Here’s the full announcement from the city of Decatur:

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City of Decatur Chosen as Finalist for 2018 All-America City Award

The City of Decatur is one of 20 Finalists selected by the National Civic League (NCL) for the 2018 All-America City Award (AAC). The award, given to 10 communities each year, celebrates and recognizes communities that engage residents in innovative, inclusive and effective efforts to tackle critical challenges. AAC Award recipients serve as models in practicing inclusive civic engagement and creating community connections.

NCL President Doug Linkhart explains the importance of using inclusive civic engagement: “These finalist communities are building local capacity to solve problems and improve their quality of life.” Projects submitted by Decatur included the Better Together Initiative, Community Policing, and the I Am Decatur project, a collection of portraits and stories from a diverse cross-section of the community who make Decatur the city it is.

Finalists represent the diversity of American communities from the largest cities to the smallest. The 20 Finalists include: Springdale, AR; Placentia, CA; Stockton, CA; Longmont, CO; Miami Beach, FL; Decatur, GA; Ann Arbor, MI; Battle Creek, MI; Las Vegas, NV; Charlotte, NC; Cincinnati, OH; Beaverton, OR; Allentown, PA; Columbia, SC; Kershaw County, SC; Mount Pleasant, SC; El Paso, TX; San Antonio, TX; Pasco, WA and Tacoma, WA. All of these cities share a bond in creating equitable communities through inclusive community engagement.

The Finalists will compete in June in Denver, CO in a final competition to be recognized as one of ten (10) All-America Cities. Decatur representatives will demonstrate the positive effects of ongoing engagement strategies and partnerships that speak to Decatur’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and engagement. The 2018 AAC awards highlight programs that “focus on inclusive engagement practices that promote equity and bring all voices to the table.”

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