At A Time When Many Politicians Are Shying Away From DEI, One Is Leaning In

SAN LEANDRO, CA — San Leandro Vice Mayor Xouhoa Bowen has been appointed to the National League of Cities’ (NLC) 2025 Race Equity and Leadership (REAL) Council, a national committee focused on advancing racial equity in communities across the country.

Bowen will serve a one-year term on the council, which works with local elected officials to develop and guide programs addressing racial equity and leadership challenges in cities, towns, and villages nationwide. Her appointment was announced by NLC President Steve Patterson, mayor of Athens, Ohio.

“San Leandro is a city rich in diversity, and advancing racial equity is essential to ensuring every resident has access to opportunity and success,” Bowen said in a statement. “I am honored to serve on NLC’s REAL Council, where we can collaborate with leaders from across the country to develop meaningful policies and programs that create more inclusive and equitable communities. By working together, we can bring valuable insights back to San Leandro and continue fostering a city where everyone thrives.”

As a member of the REAL Council, Bowen will collaborate with a diverse group of local leaders to share solutions, challenges and best practices that can be replicated in communities with similar demographics, size, or location.

“It is crucial that we bring together local leaders that are representative of all communities to share solutions, and challenges from their hometowns, which are used to develop NLC policies and programs,” Patterson said. “Bringing the experience and leadership of Vice Mayor Bowen to serve as a member on NLC’s REAL Council this year goes a long way to ensuring every city, town and village has the resources they need to lift-up their communities and improve the lives of their residents.”

This year’s REAL Council leadership includes Chair Andrea Barefield, councilmember from Waco, Texas; Vice Chair Diana Perez, councilmember from Vancouver, Washington; and Vice Chair Timothy Lonergan, vice mayor of Oakland Park, Florida.

More information about NLC’s member councils is available online.