Racial Equity Statement of Change and Commitment

On February 17, 2022, the SACOG Board of Directors adopted the SACOG Racial Equity Statement of Change and Commitment. The statement sets the foundation for the agency’s racial equity work in the years ahead and kicks off the development of a racial equity action plan which the SACOG Racial Equity and Inclusion (REI) working group will have a prominent role in guiding and shaping over the coming months.

The key elements of this statement are:

• Acknowledgement of government’s and SACOG’s role in creating and perpetuating racial disparities in health, wealth, education, transportation, housing, and other aspects of life, and are evident today.
• A vision and commitment by SACOG to work to rectify those racial disparities for the benefit of everyone in the region.
• A list of specific actions SACOG will take to follow through on its commitment.

The journey began in 2020, in the wake of social and racial justice protests. The SACOG board did not adopt a statement of commitment at the time for a variety of reasons, but one important reason was the need to be thoughtful about what a statement would mean. Since the formation of the REI working group, public members with expertise in racial equity and public policy, and led by Chair Rick Jennings, have been working to develop the statement and will continue advising SACOG and the board as REI work is implemented.

During the adoption item, SACOG’s executive director, James Corless, acknowledged that the statement is the start and not the end of this journey where many disparities exist in the region. He described SACOG’s vision to build a region where race and ethnicity are no longer predictors of health and economic outcomes as the start of a long and intentional pursuit to a more equitable community.

Read the complete Racial Equity Statement of Change and Commitment.

Watch the presentation from board meeting on February 17, 2023.