Equity Statement
South of Downtown Community Development Organization affirms our commitment to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion in all facets of our work, in and outside of the organization. We accept that this is a long and challenging journey, which may continually evolve. We are strengthened by the fact that we will navigate this journey together.
We acknowledge our nation’s and our city’s history and the systems and institutions that perpetuate inequities of the past and that exist to this day. We recognize that we operate within these systems. We embrace our role and responsibility to confront the forces of oppression and exclusion to further our mission of communities of opportunity for all.
We are mindful of our approach to the work and act with intention and authenticity. We are part of an inclusive community where diverse voices and perspectives are present, acknowledged, and valued in determining our goals, outcomes, policies, and practices. We take time to assess the potential and real impacts of our decisions on equity, diversity, and inclusion across identities of race, religion, age, marital status, gender identity, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status. We are positioned learners and are adaptive and culturally responsive so our internal actions align with our external practices and impacts. We foster safe, inclusive environments for people who bring their whole selves. We support people of all abilities to contribute to their fullest potential. We engage with one another respectfully and honestly. We see a person’s identity as a contributor to the organization, not a predictor of one’s experience therein. We embrace imagination and diversity of thought, creating the space for people to take risks and think differently. We engage in hard conversations responsibly. We hold ourselves and one another accountable.
