2020 Equity Commitments

/

This week, BHT's Board of Directors unanimously approved several motions regarding racism and the action we will take to combat systems of oppression and steward change. The heart, courage, and vulnerability shown by this group of community leaders has renewed our spirits and inspired us to take more action. 

The first approval was of a policy statement declaring our belief that racism is a public health issue. Read our entire position document here. The policy statement was approved as follows:

Racism is not just when a person treats someone else differently because of their race.

Race is a developed false idea used to justify a culture whose behavior has positioned white people to dominate positions of power while perpetuating avoidable and unjust health outcomes for people of color for over 400 years.

BHT is committed to building an anti-racist community and opposing oppression in all forms – not only to stand against systemic oppression, but to invest in radical change and steward the process today that will lead us to a better future.

We commit to critical analysis of how white-supremacy culture is influencing our decision making, and to acting on opportunities to disrupt cycles of oppression and discrimination.

The group recognized the importance of having this policy to help guide the work but was in strong agreement that words are not enough. We must also make changes to how we approach and execute our work. The Board approved the following actions: 

Education

Earlier this year, the Board established an aim to define, address, and cultivate a culture of belonging within the BHT Board by 12/31. As well as the following milestones to support that aim:

  1. Finalize board norms and mechanisms to practice them within our work

  2. Increase understanding and comfort addressing issues related to health equity, race, and otherness through Board education

  3. Define what belonging means to BHT Board - identify who feels they belong and who is missing

  4. Define and implement a plan to increase diversity and representation on the BHT Board

  5. Explore how a culture of belonging can build more engagement with community and collaboratives 

 This week the Board agreed to take part in a 5-part training series developed by BHT staff to support milestone #2. This training will require an additional 90 min time commitment of our Board members each month and will continue through the rest of 2020.

Accountability

The creation of an Equity Accountability Council. This council will be comprised of a diverse set of community leaders and equity champions compensated for taking the time to understand how BHT decision making works and give meaningful input to opportunities for BHT to enhance equity or representation in our decision-making.

Action

Amendments to the Pay-for-Equity requirements for partner contracts requiring all partners to create an equity statement as a prerequisite before selecting from the menu of activities (previously an option within the menu). Partners will also participate in a 6-part equity learning series to support development of an equity statement.

Funding

A $1,000,000 allocation of funding from the Community Resiliency Fund for grants to combat racism as health crisis. Grants will be awarded to organizations lead by and serving impacted communities, with priority to black and indigenous run organizations. Watch for a release of the RFP in July.

What’s Next

This is only the beginning of BHT's anti-racism work. We will continue to look for ways to address these systemic issues in everything we do internally and with partners. Stay tuned.