Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are the threads that run through all of our programs and services at the Akron Urban League.
An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.
Martin Luther King Jr.
We understand the impact systemic racism has on the African American Community. We are dedicated to creating a hub of collaborative services that transform and reposition our citizens of Summit County, particularly African Americans. We strive to provide resources that help individuals break free from generational poverty. Our goal is to help them find self-sufficiency and financial independence for themselves and their families.
Our organization closely models the principles of the National Urban League, founded in 1910 and headquartered in New York City. The National Urban League is a historic civil rights organization dedicated to economic empowerment, equality, and social justice.
This organization is well-known for collaborating with community leaders, policymakers, and corporate partners at national and local levels. The National Urban League strives to elevate the living standards for African Americans and other historically underserved groups.
The Akron Urban League believes our organization must understand diversity, equity, and inclusion. Therefore, we use definitions from Mary Frances Winter’s book We Can’t Talk about That at Work!: How to Talk about Race, Religion, Politics, and Other Polarizing Topics (2017).
Diversity
Diversity refers to the representation of different demographics in an organization or group.
Equity
Equity is defined as the treatment of people according to what they need and deserve.
Inclusion
Inclusion refers to the action of creating a work environment or group that respects and values differences.
It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.
Audre Lorde