Lexington named first city for Our Common Purpose project

Learn about how Lexington was chosen to help lead the way to strengthen American democracy.

Tandy Park pavilion in downtown Lexington

Lexingtonians can expect to find more opportunities for civic education + engagement. | Photo by LEXtoday

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In case you missed it, last week Mayor Linda Gorton announced that Lexington was named the first city in the US to join the Our Common Purpose Communities Project. Let’s break down exactly what this means.

What is the project?

Hosted by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the project was launched in 2018 to help explore ways that communities can best respond to the vulnerabilities in political and civic life by empowering citizens to be more engaged.

The Communities Project set forth 31 recommendations in six categories in its report. Lexington will lead the charge by implementing two recommendations:

  • Responsive government: Design a new process to encourage resident participation in public meetings and hearings
  • Culture of shared commitment: Invest in civic education opportunities for residents of all ages