On February 18, 2026, the District of Columbia Civil Rights Commission announced a new initiative aimed at addressing systemic racism in the nation's capital. The initiative, titled "Racial Equity Now: A Path Forward," seeks to identify and dismantle policies and practices that perpetuate racial disparities in the District.At a press conference held at the commission's headquarters, Chairperson Maria Rodriguez outlined the goals of the initiative. "For too long, communities of color in the District of Columbia have been marginalized and disadvantaged by systems that were designed to benefit some at the expense of others," she said. "It is time for us to confront this reality head-on and take meaningful action to achieve racial equity for all residents."The initiative will focus on four key areas: criminal justice reform, economic equity, education equity, and healthcare equity. Each area will be led by a dedicated task force made up of experts in the field, community leaders, and representatives from local government agencies. These task forces will conduct comprehensive reviews of existing policies and practices, identify areas for improvement, and develop recommendations for change.One of the first priorities of the initiative will be addressing disparities in the criminal justice system. Task force members will work closely with local law enforcement agencies, the courts, and community organizations to identify ways to reduce racial bias in policing, eliminate disparities in sentencing, and improve reentry services for formerly incarcerated individuals.In the area of economic equity, the initiative aims to address disparities in employment, housing, and access to capital for entrepreneurs of color. Task force members will work to identify barriers to economic opportunity, develop strategies to promote economic mobility, and support efforts to build wealth within communities of color.The initiative also includes a focus on education equity, with task force members seeking to address disparities in school funding, resource allocation, and academic achievement. The task force will work with local school districts to develop strategies to improve access to quality education for all students, regardless of their race or socioeconomic status.Finally, the healthcare equity task force will focus on addressing disparities in access to healthcare services, health outcomes, and healthcare disparities. Task force members will work with local healthcare providers, community health centers, and government agencies to develop strategies to improve healthcare access and outcomes for communities of color.Overall, the "Racial Equity Now: A Path Forward" initiative represents a significant step towards achieving racial equity in the District of Columbia. By bringing together