Why focus on racial equity?
Racial inequities are deep and pervasive. While our primary focus is on racial equity, we also acknowledge that other groups of people are still marginalized, including based on gender, sexual orientation, ability, immigration status, age, class, and other factors. Focusing on racial equity introduces a framework, tools and resources that can also be applied to other areas of marginalization.
CAC is a member of the Government Alliance on Race and Equity.
How do you put your racial equity commitment into action?
Our vision is for all Cuyahoga County residents to experience a meaningful cultural life. To achieve this, CAC has developed a set of equity commitments that ensure that our values and actions are aligned. The commitments guide to day-to-day decision making and help ensure that equity threads through all that we do.
Setting goals and reporting wins.
Grantees set racial equity goals and share outcomes with CAC, who supports their learning and operationalizing racial equity principles in their CAC-funded work.
Gathering data.
Since 2020, CAC has asked applicants to self-identify if they are a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, Person of Color)-led and serving organization.
Internal accountability.
In addition to learning as a team, CAC created a Core Racial Equity Working Group of staff members to inform policies and practices.
Continuing to learn together.
To date, more than 300 individuals representing more than 100 CAC-funded organizations have attended Racial Equity Institute at no cost, with support from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture. We continue to learn together as a community through CAC-supported workshops and trainings, and by sharing resources.