April 22, 2021

I started to write this last week … and stopped, deleted, and re-started this first sentence many times. The news has been filled with too much to take – Daunte Wright’s death, for example. We are all, as leaders, looking to learn and act – to be anti–racist, and the conviction of the murderer of Mr. George Floyd this week gives us hope that change is possible.

As we continue to address systemic racism, within Christian Horizons we are focusing on six main activities. New updates since last month are noted by a “NEW” sign.

ONE

Our Recruitment Action Plan will include a “Diversity and Inclusion Working Group.”

This remains in our workplan. Please watch for more information later this Spring. 

TWO

We will intentionally advertise in communities of Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour for all new leadership hires. Our leadership must reflect the broad ethnicity of our communities.

A Diversity & Inclusion statement has been added to external postings, which states, “Christian Horizons seeks to hire a workforce that represents the diversity of our communities where we serve. We are committed to promoting communities of belonging where Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour feel valued, respected, represented, and heard. We encourage applications from qualified candidates from members of groups with historical or current barriers to equity”. 

We have also added,” Christian Horizons is committed to ensuring that self-identified Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour are included in the list of candidates that are interviewed for leadership positions. 

THREE

“Workplaces of Belonging” course will be reviewed and updated to embed anti-racism education.

A small working group from the anti-racism task force has been identified to review the Workplaces of Belonging course content and strengthen the anti-racism content. 

The updated content is targeted to be in place by June 2021.  

FOUR

We will consult with an external agency to provide education on anti-racism, discrimination, and inclusion.

We are actively seeking and reviewing quotes from potential training/consulting companies.

FIVE

We will review and fully develop more formal policies regarding racism and discrimination.

This work will happen following the education initiative noted above.  

SIX

We will consult with an external agency to learn about the racial and ethnic demographics of the employees of Christian Horizons.

The YMCA WorkWell was contracted to collect this data in the all-employee survey that ended on April 19. Information will be shared in upcoming On the Horizon articles.

I am reading, listening, and learning to better understand how I can be an ally, influence change within my reach, and shape my perspective to better empathize and act with others. One way I do that is in the books I read, learning from the past and present. I just finished The Choice – Embrace the Possible, by Dr. Edith Eva Eger. She is a survivor of Auschwitz, and this book recounts her experiences in the concentration camps – never again. And this week, I learned about a new book by Jemar Tisby, How to Fight Racism: Courageous Christianity and the Journey Toward Racial Justice. I will read this in the coming weeks.

Let's Connect

If you have feedback or thoughts regarding this important work, please feel free to contact me. I remain available at dmilley@christian-horizons.org or 647-204-7914.