Sound Cities Association (SCA) Racial Equity and Justice Series Session 3: Communities of Opportunity

Communities of Opportunity’s Governance Group members Michael Brown (Civic Commons, Seattle Foundation) and Lydia Assefa-Dawson (King County Regional Housing Authority), and COO Director Andrea Akita, spoke to the Sound Cities Association on the initiative’s commitments to racial equity and social justice.

Full recording of this webinar at the link above and also here: http://soundcities.org/sca-racial-equity-and-justice-series-3/

Being housed, healthy, employed, and connected to one's community are basic human needs. Yet from neighborhood to neighborhood, access to these essentials vary widely. Race, income, and zip code are major predictors of how healthy we are, and even how long we live. Low-income communities and communities of color regularly experience institutional racism in the form of decisions being made for them, and of having their voices, priorities, and strengths disregarded. Communities of Opportunity believes the most meaningful, just, and sustainable solutions are generated in partnership with communities -- who know what they need to be healthy and thrive. Communities of Opportunity is dedicated to overcoming these disparities, and to creating a vibrant, equitable King County where everyone thrives, regardless of race or place.