Structural racism is the root cause of inequities in health and education outcomes for Black and Latino children. To truly change outcomes, organizations must build systems that value racial and cultural diversity, equity, and inclusion at every level. This means shaping workforce practices, leadership decisions, and community engagement to better serve the communities.
Across the HEF Learning Collaborative, organizations are beginning to take action. Some are hiring staff who come directly from the communities they serve. Others are creating new equity trainings and sharing those resources widely. Policies and initiatives are being revised to include racial equity principles and impact analyses, making equity a built-in expectation rather than an afterthought. Families are also gaining access to services in their home language and in ways that affirm their cultural strengths.
“There has to be a point where white voices take a seat… how do we get comfortable with being uncomfortable and how do we uplift the cries for help because it’s not like the cries are not there.” – Parent Leader in HEF
Engaged leadership and staff champions are critical for making progress. Yet dialogue alone is not enough. Equity requires action that breaks down silos and addresses the structural barriers families face. Moving forward, organizations in Rochester must continue the deeper cultural transformation that acknowledges the historical legacy of racism and inequities. They will need to strengthen race equity narratives and create more opportunities to share learning across systems.
We will know this lever has taken hold when families have genuine choice in services that are culturally responsive and staffed by people who represent them. We will see boards and leadership teams that reflect the community’s diversity. And we will know progress is real when Black and Latino families themselves define the impact of new investments and resources.