GENDER AND RACIAL EQUITY

YOU ARE

ADVANCING RACIAL AND GENDER EQUITY THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITIES...

EQUITY INSTITUTE

BUILDING EQUITABLE INSTITUTIONS EQUITY SUMMIT LET’S TALK @ LUNCH RACIAL EQUITY WORKSHOPS RICKY BYRDSONG MEMORIAL RACE AGAINST HATE STAND AGAINST RACISM

Race and gender should not predetermine an individual’s destiny. Equity work levels the playing field so we all have access to the same opportunities and resources to build more stable futures. Our Equity Institute promotes racial and gender equity at the interpersonal, institutional, and systems levels by partnering with individuals and institutions through training and education, community engagement programs, and annual events. We work to shift minds, hearts, and laws so that everyone has an equitable opportunity to flourish. In 2019, with your support, the Equity Institute partnered with these organizations to provide consultation and training: • Center for Women’s History and Leadership (formerly Frances Willard Historical Association) • Unitarian Church of Evanston • McGaw YMCA • Alight Solutions • Alliance for Research in Chicagoland Communities • Ridgeville Park District • Connections for the Homeless • City of Evanston Equity and Empowerment Commission • Sunset Ridge School District 29 (Northfield) • United Way of Metro Chicago • Sacred Heart School (Chicago) • Township High School District 113 (Highland Park/ Deerfield)

YOUR IMPACT: 2019

201 people attended our annual Equity Summit and 98% felt inspired to take action to achieve greater equity

432 individuals from 10 community organizations were trained on issues of equity

15,500+ stood against racism and raced against hate to build community and promote equity and healing

EVANSTON PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIOS

4,600 participants came together

for the 20th annual Ricky Byrdsong Memorial Race Against Hate, and 150 gathered for a special breakfast in honor of Ricky's widow, Sherialyn Byrdsong. Over 200 attended our Equity Summit, and the Stand Against Racism (below) drew 11,000. Coming together around issues of racial justice helps build more just communities.

AND MOVING FROM EXCLUSION TO INCLUSION...

 “We want to make the hierarchy of human value a historic relic.”

Dr. Gail C. Christopher (middle photo on facing page), keynote speaker at our 2019 Equity Summit

“In a time like this, politically, when it’s getting acceptable to have dog whistle racism throughout our country, it’s important to stand against it and not let it fester.”

 A participant in our annual Stand Against Racism

 “I feel like the Race Against Hate has really become one of Evanston’s trophies in terms of showing how a community can respond to a tragedy. An event that is hateful, we turned it into a unifying and positive response. It’s a living demonstration of the power of love over hate.” Sherialyn Byrdsong, speaking at our breakfast commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Ricky Byrdsong Memorial Race Against Hate

YOU ARE

GIVING WOMEN OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE THEIR ECONOMIC FUTURES...

WOMEN’S ECONOMIC ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM

FINANCIAL EDUCATION ONE-ON-ONE FINANCIAL COACHING HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT SUPPORTS

YW CULINARY

Economic empowerment doesn’t just play a role in helping women achieve financial stability; it strengthens our communities as a whole. Communities prosper when women are able to support themselves and their families. When women acquire financial knowledge, along with tools, training, and supportive coaching, they are more likely to escape cycles of poverty and violence and become full contributors to their communities and local economies.

YOUR IMPACT: 2019

224 people took our Basic Money Management course and gained confidence in their ability to manage their finances

8women completed our first culinary training program, and within 30 days of graduation, half of them received job offers

16 women were matched with financial coaches and 80% of participants showed increases in their financial wellbeing scores