Inland Southern California United Way and 211+ statement of anti-racism and diversity

We take the broadest possible view of diversity. 

We acknowledge the historic injustices suffered by BIPOC (Black and Indigenous People of Color) Communities.

We acknowledge the systemic nature of racism and its affects upon every system within which we all operate.

We are committed to eradicating systemic racism from within our organization and are intentional with building systems that work for everyone.

We acknowledge that there are many ingrained and unconscious biases that we must work to overcome and remove from our lives.

We value the visible and invisible qualities that make you who you are.

We welcome that every person brings a unique perspective and experience to advance our mission and progress our fight for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in every community.

We believe that each United Way community member, donor, volunteer, advocate, and employee must have equal access to solving community problems.

We strive to include diversity, equity, and inclusion practices at the center of our daily work.

We commit to using these practices for our business and our communities.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Principles created by the DEI Committee of Inland SoCal United Way

We believe:  

• Centering. When our communities are truly diverse, inclusive, and equitable, we all benefit and are stronger/healthier because of it. We cherish the richness of diversity and seek to uplift a beloved community.

• Oppression is learned and we believe it can also be unlearned. We must seek to actively dismantle internalized oppressive ideologies and beliefs. We actively and continually practice anti-racism.

• DEI work means having the courage to name and transform oppressive issues, including but not limited to: sexism, racism, classism, heterosexism, cissexism, ableism, sizeism, adultism, etc. We seek to erase -isms. We seek to eliminate discrimination in all forms.

• People learn at their best when they embody humility and believe that they always have more to learn, remaining curious and engaged. We are committed to learning.

• Most people are well-intentioned, even while they unconsciously harm others. Impact and outcomes matter more than intention. There are no easy fixes or magical solutions for DEI work. It takes sustained, rigorous effort and action to change systems. We will not ‘naturally’ evolve toward greater diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our efforts must be both measurable and actionable and not simply empty platitudes.

• Accountability: we will be focused on the outcomes of our work and will not remain in a perpetual state of planning. We will take responsibility for both the success and missteps that are sure to come.

• We will place empathy at the center of our work. Empathy means taking into account other people’s experience, respecting feelings and the impact of our actions (regardless of intentions) despite not understanding other’s experiences. Above all, we value shared humanity and human experience, not lived experience

• Shared Commitment/Partnership/Synergy: as an organization we have a shared, intentional commitment towards the goals of our organization’s DEI work. We invite the community to join with us in this intentional and vital work of abolishing systems of internal and external oppression.

Join us in embracing diversity, equity and inclusion for every person in every community.

LIVE UNITED