YMCA OF METROPOLITAN DALLAS LAUNCHES 21-DAY EQUITY CHALLENGE
DALLAS (January 11, 2021) – The YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas kicked off today a 21-Day Equity Challenge to help community members develop a deeper understanding of how inequity affects our lives and our communities. To sign up, people can visit ymcadallas.org/equitychallenge. Once signed up, from January 11-31, participants will receive a daily email prompt which includes resources such as readings, conversations, podcasts and videos to introduce them to, or further their knowledge, on topics aimed at understanding and advancing equity including exploring bias, food insecurity, racial injustice, systems thinking, dimensions of diversity, health disparities and more. Opening each day's email will trigger receipt of the next day's email.
“This 21 days is our commitment to taking action, to learn and unlearn, to grow and reflect, and to do it together,” said Rodrigua Ross, VP of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas. “This initiative is part of the Y’s goal to educate the Dallas community about the realities and inequities of our society, increase awareness and offer strategies for the individual accountability and structural changes needed to support inclusivity and equity.”
The YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas’s commitment to diversity equity and inclusion serves as a compass as we work alongside communities to drive social progress and positive social change addressing systemic racism and other forms of institutionalized bias. Working towards advancing equity is a collective effort that requires individual, organizational and societal change. This challenge will help those who participate understand these challenges and reflect on their own experiences and biases.
The 21-Day Equity Challenge launches through the Dallas Y’s Equity & Innovation Centers powered by Reliant. Last September, Reliant donated $100K to foster diversity, equity and inclusion efforts as a part of Reliant and parent company NRG’s “Powering Change” initiative, committed $1 million toward organizations and initiatives that combat racial inequities, injustice and related violence.
The Y’s commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion will impact the community by:
- Prioritizing the eradication of racism
- Participating in unconscious-bias and undoing-racism training designed for leaders of community-based organizations
- Ensuring diverse candidate pools are sought for all positions
- Establishing a Y vendor participation percentage requirement for minority- or women-owned businesses
- Facilitating on-going conversations with our boards, staff and communities regarding race and related matters
- Addressing health disparities prevalent in Black and Brown communities
The YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas' Commitment to Inclusion: The Y is made up of people of all ages and from every walk of life working side by side to strengthen communities. Together we work to ensure that everyone, regardless of ability, age, cultural background, ethnicity, faith, gender, gender identity, ideology, income, national origin, race or sexual orientation has the opportunity to reach their full potential with dignity. Our core values are caring, honesty, respect and responsibility—they guide everything we do. To learn more, please visit www.ymcadallas.org/diversityandinclusion.
About the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas
The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Founded in 1885, the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas serves thousands of men, women and children each year, regardless of age, income or background. Anchored in communities across North Texas, the Dallas Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. The Y ensures all people have equitable access to the essentials needed to become thriving members of the community. Daily, the Y bridges and fills individual and community needs as a catalyst for impactful change. The YMCA makes accessible the support and opportunities that empower people and communities to learn, grow and thrive, with three areas of impact: Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility. To learn more or get involved, please visit www.ymcadallas.org.