Our Board's Commitment to Racial Equity

June marks one year since the height of nationwide racial uprisings that responded to the unjust killing of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and countless other Black Lives at the hands of police. In the year since, our board has reflected on their commitment to racial equity, read their statement below:

NWSHC Board Racial Equity Statement:
Approved June 10, 2021

The Northwest Side Housing Center Board of Directors recognizes the critical role we must play in prioritizing, supporting, cultivating, and investing in diverse representation, inclusion, and equity. It is our responsibility to critically examine our own filters and how we benefit from existing power structures, to make space and lift up the voices of marginalized people of color who have been systematically excluded, and to be intentional with actions that support equity and accountable to actions that erode it. As a governing board, we commit to:

• Educating ourselves, on a continuous basis, about racism and dominant/white-supremacist culture and thinking about the ways systemic inequities impact our organizational work

• Ensuring that our board and our staff consistently reflect the community we serve

• Embedding equity into our work in ways that are sustainable and go beyond one-time, performative action
  

The Board of Directors recognizes the long history of racial inequity in this country and acknowledges that identifying and correcting systemic barriers to equality will take time and sustained dedication. We are as ever proud and humbled by the commitment expressed by our staff towards being a force for change in our community. We look forward to partnering with them and championing their efforts in converting their commitment towards equality, equity and justice into meaningful change for the community of Belmont Cragin, Northwest Chicago, and beyond.

Meet our board members here