Organizational Self-Assessment Related to Racial Equity

In October 2017, the Partnership’s Executive Committee determined that its approach to racial equity would begin with a baseline racial equity assessment of our partner organizations to drive discussion and take collective action. The Tool for Organizational Self-Assessment Related to Racial Equity, originally developed by Coalition of Communities of Color for All Hands Raised Portland (2013) and adapted for Marin Promise Partnership, was recommended for partners to gather an overview of their policies and practices as they relate to racial equity. Read More…

The persistence of deep racial disparities and divisions across society is evidence of institutional racism––the routine, often invisible and unintentional, production of inequitable social opportunities and outcomes. When racial equity is not consciously addressed, racial inequality is often unconsciously replicated.

• It created a baseline snapshot of racial equity practices, policies, and mental models across the Partnership (Summary Report; Full Baseline Report; ).
• Partners set “SMARTE” goals to advance racial equity progress in their own organizations.
• The findings inspired the development of a collective partnership-wide racial equity statement.
• In 2020 Partners adopted A Framework for Antiracist Action
• In 2021, the Backbone Team, as part of a StriveTogether national equity indicators cohort, published and Antiracist Education Learning Brief.

• Understand the shifts made within organizations since they first took the assessment, while supporting new partner organizations to take the assessment–resulting in a 2021 partnership “score.”
• To explore which racial/ethnic groups are most advantaged and disadvantaged in an institution’s policies and practices and:
• To reduce racial disparities and advance racial equity within Partner institutions and across the entire Partnership (and county) by being BOLD and COURAGEOUS.

The Partnership Will:

• Proactively seek to eliminate inequities and advance racial equity in policy and program development, budgeting, planning and decision-making once institutions review their practices
• Thoughtfully consider the impacts of proposed decisions on different racial/ethnic groups, with added attention to stakeholders who are most disadvantaged or marginalized within Partner institutions.
• Identify clear goals and objectives, measurable outcomes, and tasks and timelines individually, institutionally, and structurally ACROSS the county.
• Develop mechanisms for successful implementation, documentation and evaluation.