Racial Equity Resources

Community Systems Statewide Supports (CS3) welcomes you and asks you to join us in our journey toward creating a racially equitable society where race no longer determines how one fares. We strongly believe that we all have a role to play in this endeavor. Our goal is to work together to build the will, skill, knowledge, and capacity of the community systems development community to both take action toward equity and steps against inequity. Below you will find our definition of racial equity and a list of resources organized by type. Please note that this is only a starting point; there are many more resources out there whose usefulness will depend on where you, your collaboration, and your community are in this journey.

We define racial equity as both an outcome and a process.

• As an outcome — We achieve racial equity when race no longer determines how one fares in society; when everyone has what they need to thrive, no matter where they live.
• As a process — We apply racial equity when those most impacted by structural racial inequity are meaningfully involved in the creation and implementation of the institutional policies and practices that impact their lives. 

When we achieve racial equity:

• People, including people of color, have what they need to be owners, planners, and decision-makers in the systems that govern their lives.
• Resources, opportunities, rewards, and burdens are fairly distributed across groups and communities so that those with the greatest challenges are adequately supported and not further disadvantaged.
• Past and current inequities are acknowledged and accounted for, and all people, particularly those most impacted by racial inequities, are provided the infrastructure needed to thrive and participate.
• Systems and policies that affect children and families are consciously designed, reframed, or eliminated in a robust and dynamic process to promote greater justice.
• Everyone benefits from a more just, equitable system.
  
  

---

Resources

---

Historical Context

As we continue on our journey towards creating an equitable society where race no longer determines how one fares, we must understand how history, policies, practices, and mindsets contribute to the present day. Institutional and systemic racism provide the backdrop against which we support young children and their families.

Below you will find some resources by sector that help to build understanding of racial inequities; this is not an exhaustive list of resources or sectors. It should be treated as a stop on your journey. While the connection between early childhood and the sectors listed may not be explicit, these sectors influence the lives and day-to-day experiences of young children and families.

While the connection between early childhood and the sectors listed may not be explicit, these sectors influence the lives and day-to-day experiences of young children and families. They, therefore, have a direct impact on early childhood work. To help you connect inequities in those sectors to your work, we invite you to reflect on the following questions when viewing any of the resources below.

• How does this sector intersect with the early childhood sector?
• How do racial inequities in other sectors manifest in the lives of families with young children? Consequently, how do they impact the early childhood sector?
• What role can the early childhood sector play in addressing racial inequities in other sectors?