Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

The City of Tacoma is committed to reducing, and ultimately, ending disparities that disproportionally impact communities of color. Tacoma Creates is investing in capacity building work to engage cultural organizations around these issues, and support their ability to take action steps.

Colemon and Associates developed the “JEDI” Platform for supporting Tacoma Creates organizations, which they define as follows:

  • Justice in this context refers to dismantling barriers to resources and opportunities in society so that all individuals and communities can live a full and dignified life.

  • Equity refers to allocating resources to ensure everyone has access to the same opportunities. Equity recognizes that advantages and barriers exist.

  • Diversity refers to all the differences between us based on which we experience advantages or encounter barriers to opportunities. Diversity isn’t just about racial differences.

  • Inclusion refers to fostering a sense of belonging by centering, valuing, and amplifying the voices, perspectives and styles of those who experience more barriers based on their identities.

JUSTICE, EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION The City of Tacoma is committed to reducing, and ultimately, ending disparities that disproportionally impact communities of color. Tacoma Creates is investing in capacity building work to engage cultural organizations around these issues, and support their ability to take action steps. Colemon and Associates developed the “JEDI” Platform for supporting Tacoma Creates organizations, which they define as follows: Justice in this context refers to dismantling barriers to resources and opportunities in society so that all individuals and communities can live a full and dignified life. Equity refers to allocating resources to ensure everyone has access to the same opportunities. Equity recognizes that advantages and barriers exist. Diversity refers to all the differences between us based on which we experience advantages or encounter barriers to opportunities. Diversity isn’t just about racial differences. Inclusion refers to fostering a sense of belonging by centering, valuing, and amplifying the voices, perspectives and styles of those who experience more barriers based on their identities. Between July and November, 2020, representatives from Tacoma Creates organizations are participating in a series of cohort-based video meetings to explore these topics. This initial step will inform future work, including organizational self-assessments, and a collaborative that will work together to develop larger community conversations.