2026 CDHI Top 12 AAMA Cities to Watch Cohort
June 22, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 22, 2026
MAYOR WHITFIELD, CITY OF LAWRENCE NAMED AMONG NATION’S TOP 12 AFRICAN AMERICAN CITIES TO WATCH
LAWRENCE, IN – Mayor Deb Whitfield and the City of Lawrence have been selected by the Community Data Health Initiative (CDHI) as one of the 2026 Top 12 African American Mayors Association (AAMA) Cities to Watch, a national recognition honoring cities that are advancing environmental health, public health, and equity through innovative leadership and measurable action.
In notifying the City of its selection, CDHI praised Lawrence for its “outstanding leadership and commitment to advancing environmental outcomes in communities across the country.”
The organization further noted that Lawrence was recognized for its strong mayoral leadership, strategic partnerships, effective use of data, and innovative policy approaches that improve public health and reduce disparities.
“This recognition affirms the work we are doing to create a healthier, more sustainable future for our residents,” said Mayor Deb Whitfield. “Through collaboration, innovation, and community engagement, Lawrence is demonstrating that local government can make a meaningful impact on quality of life and long-term health outcomes.”
As part of the designation, Lawrence will receive a featured spotlight in CDHI’s national environmental health leadership campaign, an invitation to participate in a national convening at Harvard Kennedy School alongside peer city leaders, and opportunities to share the City’s successes with mayors and municipal leaders from across the country.
Under Mayor Whitfield’s leadership, Lawrence has launched the Live Longer in Lawrence initiative, a comprehensive effort to improve health outcomes through community-based wellness programs, education, and access to resources.
The City has also advanced several environmental sustainability initiatives, including installing electric vehicle charging stations, participating in the Indiana University Environmental Resilience Institute’s McKinney Urban Green Fellowship, and, most recently, being designated an Indiana Clean Community by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM).
The recognition places Lawrence among a select group of cities nationwide that are leading efforts to address environmental health challenges while creating healthier, more equitable communities.
Media Contact:
Denise Herd, Herd Strategies
317-796-0514
denise@herdstrategies.com
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About the City of Lawrence, Indiana
Located northeast of Indianapolis, the City of Lawrence is Indiana’s 20th largest city and home to approximately 50,000 residents. While its military base was decommissioned in 1996, Lawrence has grown into a vibrant community that blends rich history with modern amenities. Under the leadership of Mayor Deb Whitfield, the city continues to thrive as a welcoming place to live, work, and play. Learn more at cityoflawrence.org.
About the Community Data Health Initiative
The Community Data Health Initiative (CDHI) is a multi-year project led by the Data Smart Solutions at Harvard’s Bloomberg Center for Cities. Supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the initiative helps cities combine local data, community insights, and spatial analytics to tackle environmental challenges that directly affect public health, such as extreme heat and air pollution.
