“DEI” has become a buzzworthy acronym over the last few years. For many organizations, unfortunately, it’s something that’s easy to say and convenient to promote, but hard to execute and sustain.

Authentic advancement of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for organizations and individuals requires commitment, and attention, to learning and education, access to resources and fair paying jobs, cultural awareness, and recognition of mounting disparities between those who thrive and those who do not. It requires tangible action, not yet another “task force” to meet quarterly and discuss initiatives that never come to fruition.

For us at the United Way, that means being thoughtful and intentional about hiring and board nomination practices, the promotion of talent, partnerships, grantmaking, and programming.

Acceptance is critical, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, disability, gender, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. Throughout each initiative, the United Way of Greater Charlottesville values differences, creating an environment that strives to be genuinely inclusive. We are engaged in enriching our cultural perspective and thus, working to contribute positively to the dismantling of systemic racism.

The flowery language and business-speak have to be rooted in tangible goals and steadfast actions. We plan to hold ourselves, and insist that our community and its members hold us, accountable to these goals and ensure we remain on track to create a community where every person can thrive.

To be part of the movement, we have to walk the walk. We urge you to join us.