Mayor Levar M. Stoney is seeking to ensure every city resident is counted in the official 2020 Census.

This week, Mayor Stoney launched Richmond’s Census 2020 Complete Count Committee to help make it happen when the population count begins more than a year from now.

He stated the committee’s focus would be on improving the count in African-American and Latino communities that tend to have lower participation rates.

“For each person uncounted, the city and other government organizations miss out on $2,000 worth of funding each year,” Mayor Stoney said.

“Our team will use its networks and expertise to make sure we reach every person and cover every square foot of Richmond,” he said.

The committee’s work will include encouraging people to use the new Census Bureau tools, including responding online or by calling a toll-free number.

The Richmond count committee includes 19 people and will be led by Chelsi H. Bennett, senior policy adviser to Selena Cuffee-Glenn, the city’s chief administrative officer.

The committee includes four City Council members, Andreas D. Addison, 1st District; Michael J. Jones, 9th District; Cynthia I. Newbille, 7th District; and Ellen F. Robertson, 6th District.

Citizen members include Scott Blackwell, Community Foundation chief engagement officer; Monica Callahan, ChamberRVA workforce program director; Dr. Allia Carter, Virginia Union University vice president; and Bill Harrison, Diversity Richmond president and executive director.

Also, Dr. Catherine Ho, Virginia Commonwealth University vice president; Dr. Leo Whitaker, Baptist General Convention of Virginia executive minister; Steve Wilborn, Richmond Branch NAACP interim education chair; and Michael Zajur, Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce chief executive officer.

Government officials on the committee include Dr. Danny Avula, Richmond City Health District director; Douglas Dunlap, interim city deputy chief administrative officer for economic and community development; Reginald Gordon, interim city deputy chief administrative officer for human services; Jason Kamras, Richmond Public Schools superintendent; Mark Olinger, city director of planning and development; and Karla Ramos, city Office of Multicultural Affairs manager.