The stark reality is racial disparities, racism, and inequity does exist in the Fox Cities. Starting February 1, United Way Fox Cities is hosting a 21-Week Equity Challenge, designed to offer an opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of how inequity and racism affect our lives and communities.

Peter Kelly, United Way Fox Cities

In order to advance their mission to build a stronger, more caring community for everyone, United Way is calling on the community to recognize, understand, and act against racism, and racial inequity. The Equity Challenge offers a starting point.

“We are excited to invite the community to embark on this journey with us,” says Peter Kelly, President and CEO at United Way Fox Cities. “The past year has been pivotal in the fight for justice and equity, but there is a lot more work to be done. A powerful step in fighting racial disparities is to understand them—this is an opportunity to learn together, grow together, and move forward united.”

How it works:

• Individuals are encouraged to take on the Equity Challenge themselves, or form groups for discussion and reflection.
• Those who sign up will receive an email at the beginning of each week for 21 weeks, starting Monday, February 1 through Monday, June 21. (Participants can join at any time during the 21 weeks.)
• Weekly topics take participants through a journey that starts with understanding internalized racism and explores how racism permeates person-to-person interactions, institutions, and social structures.
• The experience is intended to deepen understanding, suggest ways to act, and helps launch what will hopefully will be a lifelong commitment to improving equity and inclusion in our communities.

Remembering the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “If you can’t fly, run. If you can’t run, walk. If you can’t walk, crawl, but by all means, keep moving.”

Sign up to take the Equity Challenge and visit the 21-Week Equity Challenge Action Center for more information.