Diversity, Equality & Inclusion Policy

First Candle affirms its commitment to recognizing, addressing and opposing all forms of racism and ethnic oppression.

We work to reduce racial and ethnic health disparities, both within organizations and the broader community. We focus on engaging and collaborating in education, service and training that challenge oppressive and unjust forces. First Candle staff and Board are united in the pursuit to end racial and ethnic bias and to empower our families towards this collective goal.

We acknowledge that regardless of one’s own race or ethnicity, individuals are at various points along an anti-racist journey.   We also understand that bias can be unconscious or unintentional and that racism is the combination of social and institutional power plus racial prejudice.  Identifying these two specific forms of oppression and disparate outcomes do not automatically mean that those involved intended negative impact and having these conversations require courage, respect and compassion, and may not always be or seek to be comfortable.  However, as an anti-racist and ethnically unbiased community, we will purposefully strive to identify, discuss and challenge issues of race, color, ethnicity and the impact(s) they have on maternal and child health and healthcare outcomes. 

WE STAND COMMITTED:

  1. To affirm explicitly and in united solidarity our identity as an anti-racist organization.
  2. To individual and organizational exploration and examination of implicit bias and systemic advantage/oppression such that our anti-racism commitment be reflected in the life and culture of First Candle, through our policies, programs, and practices as we continue to learn about racism and ethnic oppression.
  3. To the development and implementation of strategies and best practices that dismantle racism and ethnic oppression within all aspects of our organization, community and society.