Dear Friends and Family,
Last week, the first phase of our Ending Racism Partnership kicked off with “A Blueprint to End Racism,” a virtual roundtable event attended by more than 220 of our friends and neighbors. The event was the first in a series of Equity in Action roundtable discussions designed to inform and engage Philadelphia citizens and regional stakeholders in the work of the Partnership – a collaborative movement to develop concrete strategies for ending systemic racial injustice and economic inequality.
Co-convened by the Urban Affairs Coalition, Independence Blue Cross, and Mother Bethel AME Church, the partnership is co-chaired by myself, along with Stephen P. Fera, executive vice president of Public Affairs at Independence Blue Cross; and Rev. Dr. Mark Tyler, pastor of Mother Bethel AME Church. Gregory E. Deavens, president and CEO of Independence Blue Cross, provided welcoming remarks at the event.
But now is the time to turn the conversations into action – and we need your help as we continue to push forward.
Last Friday, the Partnership launched a citywide sentiment survey, designed and distributed in concert with Qualtrics, to engage Philadelphians in providing firsthand accounts of their perceptions of racism and its impact on their lives. Know that special attention will be paid to engage the LGBTQIA+ and immigrant communities, which often have a unique experience with and perspective on racism.
Currently in English, it will also be available in Spanish and Chinese later in March. The Partnership will share the results of the survey in May and identify ways to begin the work to build a systematic response to ending racism in Philadelphia.
We are living in an unprecedented time – thank you for your continued support as we turn words into action for a better future.
Sharmain Matlock-Turner
President/CEO
Sharmain@uac.org