Hundreds of cities across the country continued to work in their communities to ensure race equality and justice. More than 80 city officials participated in a national conference in February that focused on leadership skills to ensure race equality. During the summer, nearly 200 cities responded to a survey seeking information on ongoing activities in their communities to promote race equality and advice to other colleagues on how to sustain this important work. That input has been converted into guidebook on strategies for ensuring race equality. In September, more than 150 cities issued proclamations and held events on Race Equality Day to reaffirm their commitment and to outline plans for the coming year.
NAACP President Kweisi Mfume commended NLC for its ongoing efforts to eliminate racism and particularly for its focus during Race Equality Day. In a letter to NLC President Archer, Mfume extended his "heartfelt congratulations on the occasion of 2001 Race Equality Day" to the National League of Cities and all participating municipalities.
"We at the NAACP believe that the Constitution of the United States guarantees to the people, all people, certain civil liberties and civil rights. It promises each America the right to be treated as a free and equal citizen of this country," Mfume wrote. "The NAACP exists to bring about the fulfillment of America's promise to uphold the liberties, the freedom, and the rights of all. It is my hope that this year's Race Equality Day proves true to that noble mission and acts as a great catalyst for our success."