Like many organizations in 2020 and 2021, The Center for Community Solutions shared its commitment to our racial equity work, exploring culture, policies, and behavior. We've committed to the journey and have realized progress, though there is still much to be done.
Our North Star values
We strive for collective uplift. Empathy anchors us in our pursuit of equity, anti-racism, belonging, and justice for our colleagues and for the people impacted by our work. This journey requires us to learn, act with compassion, and evaluate our actions, our relationships, and our continuous commitment to the work. The Values we uphold include Integrity, Accountability, Belonging, Collaboration, and Diversity.
- Integrity
- Accountability
- Belonging
- Collaboration
- Diversity
National equity recognition
Selected by the national organization Equity in the Center, a cohort including our Racial Equity staff, HR Manager, and three other staff members examined efforts and culture within Community Solutions. The team was part of Equity in the Center's inaugural cohort, receiving training and guidance on how to establish best practices to lead RDEI and share with the rest of staff.
Part of this exploration included a Racial Pulse assessment, which evaluates various organizational components—culture, leadership, board, and data.
Staff and Board diversity
Nationally, people of color hold only 18% of nonprofit board seats. The Community Solutions board is strengthened by 41% racial diversity. Our Board’s DEI Ad Hoc Committee was unanimously adopted by the Community Solutions Board as a permanent committee in late 2023. This team is composed of both staff and board members that led the creation of the North Star and values.
Like the Board, racial diversity among the Community Solutions staff remains consistent at around 40%. Two women of color are part of Community Solutions leadership team, and we are committed to ensuring that BIPOC staff are recognized for their leadership.
Local equity initiatives
The 2024 Policy Ambassador Initiative will translate and deliver policy information directly to community residents and grassroots leaders. This initiative, will address a significant gap in how policy organizations inform and engage communities. The pilot initiative will begin with a small number of participants, part of an intergenerational collective.
Young adults embedded in community leadership will work with older adults recruited from two local senior centers known for their civic engagement.
