Working for Racial Justice – United Way Salt Lake
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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

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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.”

 

Learn More >

Racial Equity - 5 Rs

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.

 

Equity Resources >

Equity Glossary >

Brittany Packnett

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.

 

Equity Resources >

Equity Glossary >

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.

 

View Report Card

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.

 

View Report Card

Grassroots Leadership - discussion with parent

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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