A Statement on Racial Equity

From Chief Executive Officer, Tricia Richardson

Earlier this month, we released the following statement in our monthly newsletters:
At SC Thrive, we long for stabilized, healthy communities across South Carolina. We recognize that there can be no stability and no equitable mental, physical, or financial health in our state without first addressing the systemic injustices and disparities that exist. We are committed to continuing to work towards leading all South Carolinians to stability and providing access to needed resources, especially for communities that have long been treated inequitably. It is our sincere hope that the pain we feel now will be the spark of actions that honor the dignity of all South Carolinians individually, organizationally, and systemically.

Since then, I have had many conversations with our staff, partners, friends, and peers about SC Thrive’s role as a community connector and my role as a leader in our state. I am incredibly grateful fr those friends and partners with which I can discuss deep and meaningful questions that require me to step back and reflect. I have been able to take time to listen and learn from conversations, articles, peers, and community and faith leaders about racism, injustice, and leadership. Many of these articles have made me pause to reconsider if I as a leader and connector am doing all I can to ensure justice and equity in the spaces I lead.

Over the past three weeks, we have seen our nation and our state grieve the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and many others. Our hearts break for their families and loved ones, in the wake of such tragic and unnecessary loss of life. It also breaks for our friends, neighbors, coworkers, and family members who have grieved the lived experiences of racism and injustice for far too long. We have been listening to other thought leaders in the nonprofit community and are appreciative of their diligence and candor. In thoughtful consideration, we are committed to continuing to amplify the organizations and resources addressing racism, injustice, inequality, and disparity. We at SC Thrive come alongside the phenomenal organizations in our state who have taken a stand against systemic racism and inequality against all persons of color to promote justice, equity, and access to all the rights and privileges this great nation affords us. We encourage you to listen with us to the resources below as we all take time to listen, learn, reflect, and act.

Resources from other South Carolina Organizations

  • The Alliance for a Healthier South Carolina | The Alliance for a Healthier South Carolina addresses health equity through coordination of action in academia, businesses, consumers, providers, philanthropy, insurance, government, and policy environments. Learn more about the Alliance for a Healthier South Carolina and their mission HERE.
  • Eat Smart Move More | Eat Smart Move More has compiled a list of tools and learning resources that address race equity. You can view their list HERE.
  • Richland Library | Richland Library recently invited readers to look honestly into their personal experiences to create honest and courageous conversations. Take a look at the thought-provoking blog post and their list of action steps and bookshelf recommendations HERE.
  • South Carolina Collaborative for Race and Reconciliation | The South Carolina Collaborative for Race and Reconciliation seeks to foster racial reconciliation and civic renewal on campuses and in communities. The Collaborative is housed at the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at the University of South Carolina. One of their programs, Welcome Table SC, encourages understanding through listening, storytelling and relationship-building in different groups. You can learn more about the South Carolina Collaborative for Race and Reconciliation HERE.
  • South Carolina State Library | The South Carolina State Library recently released a list of resources to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in libraries that are relevant to other organizations as well. This list includes suggested reads, discussion guides, Guides for advancing racial equity in organizations, and national and local organizations that focus on racial equity. You can find this list HERE.
  • Speaking Down Barriers | Speaking Down Barriers is a Spartanburg-based organization that uses spoken word poetry, transformative dialogue, workshops, and deep listening as tools, we are working with people, communities, organizations, & institutions to build an equitable world through healing & justice. You can learn more about their work HERE. They’re also hosting many online events that you can find on their Facebook page HERE.
  • Together SC | Together SC shares regularly about Facing Race Together. Check out their blog HERE and a recent post by Darrin Goss, President & CEO of the Coastal Carolina Community foundation HERE. If you are a Together SC Member, you can also view their closing keynote session from March’s Nonprofit Summit HERE.

Resources for Businesses & Organizations

  • SHRM | The Society for Human Resource Management has several articles about addressing race in the workplace. You can find a list of resources about overcoming workplace bias HERE and this article with tips for discussing racial injustice in the workplace can be found HERE.
  • Talking with Employees about Racism | Entrepreneur recently published an article discussing how to talk with employees about racism. It includes information about what to say, what not to say, and suggested questions to open dialogue. You can find the article HERE.

Resources for Individuals

  • Be the Bridge| Be the Bridge is an organization that works to address racial brokenness and systemic injustice throughout the world. They are a faith-based organization that offers trainings, communities, and more focused on racial reconciliation. They have a list of recommended resources including books, articles, movies, podcasts and more that can be found HERE.
  • Combatting Racism in the Workplace| This article from Fast Company highlights some action steps that leaders can take to address racism in the workplace. You can read the article HERE.
  • Showing Up for Racial Justice | Showing Up for Racial Justice is a national network of groups and individuals working toward racial justice through community organizing, mobilizing, and education. They have a list of educational resources that can be found HERE.