We, the members of Virginia Community Action Partnership (VACAP) are devastated by the events, that have either directly or indirectly contributed to the murder of George Floyd, in Minnesota on May 25, 2020, by a Minneapolis police officer. We are appalled by a system of racism and inequality that allowed an environment of entitlement, where the murder of an African American man in broad daylight, did not seem abhorrent to the three other officers present. Our VACAP network recognizes that too often our African American citizens live and/or work in communities that are under-resourced, under-served and under-represented. We emphatically believe the practices of racism and exclusion have contributed to the economic demise of communities of color. We endorse the National Community Action Partnership’s Core Values Statement that was issued on May 29, 2020. In doing so, we will strive to follow its guiding principles and continue to forge pathways to health equity, housing justice, school reforms, job opportunities and healthy neighborhoods.
VACAP is committed to ending these disparities by devoting our efforts to the following list that will prepare us for a better tomorrow and promote equity for all.
Externally, VACAP will:
1. Zealously advocate for change in policies and systems that create racial and social disparities in the communities we serve. We will provide advice and counsel to our legislators when necessary regarding legislation and policies that contribute to or dismantle racial and social disparities.
2. Partner with local and state government officials to provide updates on legislative activity that directly addresses racial and social disparities.
3. Develop a relationship with and partner with the Governor’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to discuss ways that we can help promote racial and social equity in our community.
4. Elevate the voices of organizations that participate in social and racial justice. We are committed to highlighting and working with organizations dedicated to social change and racial equity.
5. Participate in and facilitate conversations and workshops on racial and social disparities and how to combat them for a better future.
Internally, VACAP will:
6. Develop a comprehensive statewide Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) plan for our organization to make sure that we are living out the values that we tell others.
7. Review internal policies that may be contributing to supremist viewpoints and practices. Work to eliminate these practices from our organization.
8. Participate in implicit bias training.
9. Continuously educate ourselves on issues such as mass incarceration, environmental justice, health disparities, economic injustice, and racism within the United States.
10. Make sure that our board remains as diverse, inclusive, and equitable as possible.
