Racial Equity Statement 3.19.21
At the Community Foundation, we are committed to the pursuit of equity in Lorain County. Racism impacts the various communities of color differently, even within the communities themselves. Over the past year, the AAPI (Asian American/Pacific Islanders) community has seen an alarming increase in racist and hateful attacks across the country, with the most recent senseless murders of six Asian-American women in Atlanta. We condemn these racist attacks and stand in solidarity with our communities of color. In this solidarity, we feel a deep sense of mission to support our local partners and community members in calling for continued support in this fight against Racism, Inequality, and Injustice. Advancing inclusion for people of all races, national origins, ethnicities, and sexual orientations is crucial to guaranteeing safety and equity for all.
Through training to deepen our understanding and commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity this past year, our staff and Board have participated in sessions facilitated by the Racial Equity Institute. We have learned about the deep roots of systemic racism. In 2020, we awarded a grant, through our Racial Equity Fund, to the YWCA of Elyria to establish the Lorain County Racial Equity Center (LCREC). LCREC will expand the Anti-Hate Taskforce’s mission of promoting a more inclusive Lorain County by working with newly identified affiliate groups and providing a supportive environment for advocacy, critical thinking, and developing programming that reverses the negative narratives about people of color.
Racism is a public health crisis. We stand firmly with our partners focused on Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity through several ongoing efforts. We recognize there is much more work ahead. As the African Proverb says: “If you want to go fast, go alone; but if you want to go far, go together.” And, of course, it is not enough to stand with our partners; we must take action.
We will continue to do more.
Cynthia H. Andrews, President and CEO
Kevin Donovan, Board Chairperson
A.G. Miller, Community Engagement Committee Chairperson
Rey Carrion, Vice-Chairperson
What can YOU do?
- The Lorain County Urban League, through a grant from our Racial Equity Fund, is hosting On The Same Page. Lorain County examines White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo and will help us to recognize how the system of racism shapes our lives, how we uphold that system, and how we might interrupt it. The next cohort begins on March 23rd. Visit lcul.org for more information, to register, and find future cohort dates.
- Sign-up for our monthly newsletter. As we finalize our summer dates for our REI: Phase One summer session, we will post the sign-up in our monthly e-newsletter. Space is limited and fills up quickly. If you are interested in participating in a session, contact Brittany Lovett at blovett@peoplewhocare.org or 440.984.7390.
- Donate to our Racial Equity Fund to support non-profit organizations doing the work right here in Lorain County.
- Participate in the YWCA Elyria’s 2021 21-Day Challenge for Racial Equity and Social Justice in March, and run Monday through Friday, ending on March 29th. We hope you will join this challenge with an open heart and an open mind, ready to be pushed out of your comfort zone. Sign-up here.