Working for Racial Justice
We are committed to eradicating racism from our community in all its forms: visible and hidden, structural and systemic, blatant and subtle, so that all people, regardless of race, have equitable outcomes in education, health, and economic mobility.
Why We Must Do This Work
Systems are not designed to benefit children and families of color. Outcomes in our community vary predictably and inequitably based on race. Members of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities have had fewer opportunities and support systems, resulting in an opportunity gap that begins as early as kindergarten and remains throughout their lives.
34%
of students of color tested as Kindergarten-ready in literacy, compared to 67% of their white peers – a 33% gap.
Source: KEEP Entry Tests
17%
of students of color tested as proficient in 8th grade math, compared to 46% of their white peers – a 29% gap.
Source: RISE/SAGE exams
50%
of BIPOC students tested as proficient in 3rd grade reading, compared to 74% of white students–a 24% gap.
Source: Acadience/DIBELS
29%
of Black Utahns are homeowners compared to 70% of white Utahns - a 41% gap.
Source: Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute (2021). Data Book: Diversity in Utah
We Need Change
We join with those who are calling on our country to be better – and commit to continue our own journey toward racial awareness and healing – as individuals and as an organization. We pledge to do our part to create an organization and a community where racism and oppression is no longer the daily experience for people of color.
Our Goals
At United Way of Salt Lake, based on what we know today, we believe equity will exist when three things are true:
• There is no variation in outcomes at a population level based on race or ethnicity. A white person is just as likely as a BIPOC to achieve in school and in life.
• Power is shared with those most impacted by current systems.
• We’ve transformed our individual, organizational, and collective societal behaviors to focus on reducing racial disparities and advancing equitable outcomes.
Our Next Steps
The Equity Roadmap was created in hopes that it will guide us as we seek out and learn from those impacted by racism and work together, with our staff, partners, community members, government entities, and others, to eradicate it from our community. Because there is so much work still to be done, we are excited by the clarity this roadmap provides, and by the shared purpose, its creation has fostered across our organization.
Centering Equity in Our Work
The Equity Roadmap provides a structured approach to identifying areas of focus and specific actions that will enable us to make significant and measurable progress in addressing inequity in our community.
We’ll use a stepped process to intentionally and thoughtfully plan our approach, guide and assess our actions, and continuously improve. The approach will consist of five discreet areas we’re calling the “Five R’s.”
Our Commitment to Continued Learning
In order to overcome racism, we must speak about it openly – with humility and a sincere desire to examine our own biases and our role, conscious or unconscious, in perpetuating systemic inequities. We are committed to actively educating ourselves and invite you to do the same.
Our Commitment to Continued Learning
In order to overcome racism, we must speak about it openly – with humility and a sincere desire to examine our own biases and our role, conscious or unconscious, in perpetuating systemic inequities. We are committed to actively educating ourselves and invite you to do the same.
Our Report Card
To help measure our success in dismantling racism, we have created an Equity Report Card, or a way to highlight the objectives and key results from our Equity Roadmap. The Report Card is designed to help us know where we’ve been, where we are, and what’s next. It focuses on the five R's on our path to diversity, equity, and inclusion: Reflect, Reshape, Report, Refine, Repeat.
Our Report Card
To help measure our success in dismantling racism, we have created an Equity Report Card, or a way to highlight the objectives and key results from our Equity Roadmap. The Report Card is designed to help us know where we’ve been, where we are, and what’s next. It focuses on the five R's on our path to diversity, equity, and inclusion: Reflect, Reshape, Report, Refine, Repeat.
Get Involved with Local Organizations
Find ways to make a change through supporting these local organizations who are committed to removing systemic barriers and uplifting people of color in the Salt Lake Community.
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Midvale Community Building Community
Through coordinating and providing health, dental, and community care services in Midvale City, Midvale Community Building Community uplifts low-income Hispanic and Latino children and families. At their clinic, they provide primary care medical services, full dental care, and community-building events as well as offer opportunities to learn more health education and health literacy.
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Salt Lake County Mayor’s Office for New Americans
Established in 2016, the Office for New Americans is an ongoing commitment to welcoming and helping New Americans succeed by maximizing their civic, social, and economic potential. They do this by supporting and expanding refugee, immigrant, international student, and other new American services that support job development, community building, parents, and learning.
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Latinos in Action
Latinos in Action (LIA) is working to bridge the opportunity and graduation gaps for Latinx students. They seek positive systemic change from within the education system. LIA offers a year-long elective course, available at the middle school, junior high, and high school levels, designed to create a sense of community and empower Latinx youths as leaders and community champions. They focus on these four pillars: leveraging personal and cultural assets, excelling in education, serving the community, and developing leadership skills.
Organizational Statements and Data
Our Statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion >
