Envisioning Equity is a speaker’s series that offers an opportunity for the Waco community to explore systemic inequities and strategic solutions through facilitated dialogue. Key topics have included inequities in health during the COVID-19 pandemic, inequities in criminal justice, education, and economic development. During each event, relevant academics, practitioners, and community members with lived experience share their expertise in a panel, followed by a guided conversation with the larger audience. The aim is to engender a clear perspective of the disadvantages that exist in our community and those most affected, and to foster an open, collaborative environment for creating equitable solutions.
Upcoming Envisioning Equity Events
Be on the lookout - information for future events is coming soon!
Spring 2023 Envisioning Equity Series
On Friday, May 12th, we gathered once again at the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce for Envisioning Equity in Economic Development: Neighborhood to City Level Development.
This iteration of Envisioning Equity focused on responsible, equitable, and healthy community development here in Waco. During this session, we were joined by Kemi Ingram of Grassroots, Jocelyn Williams of the Cen-Tex African American Chamber of Commerce, and Joshua Caballero from the City of Waco. This panel, moderated by Eric Terrazas of the Cen-Tex Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, represented several years of experience in building strong relationships and achieving results in the communities they serve. The panelists touched on important topics like building trust between service organizations and communities, and shifting policies and practices to break down barriers for minority populations in need of services. A guided Q&A followed the panel, in which new collaborative ideas arose, including an interest in teaching community members to self-advocate in decision-making hubs.
Winter 2023 Envisioning Equity Series
In February, we gathered with nearly 50 community partners at the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce for the first ever in-person Envisioning Equity Series.
February’s theme, Envisioning Equity in Education, allowed us to hear from a panel of local experts focused helping our community overcome barriers to success in education and the workforce. This panel featured Marie Hines of Communities in Schools, Sarah Pedrotti of Transformation Waco, and Hermann Pereira of Prosper Waco. Our panel highlighted the connections between K-12 education and the workforce, including the impacts of systemic inequities on student success outcomes and matriculation into higher education or workforce training programs. Following the panel, our audience was invited to participate in a facilitated Q&A about how the Waco community can engage in advocacy and collaboration to address inequities in education and workforce outcomes from a community-wide level.
Spring 2022 Envisioning Equity Series
Fall 2021 Envisioning Equity Series
- Panel Discussion: The Modern Day Impact of Redlining
- Renée Crichlow, M.D. presents The Ladder: A model for service learning and mentorship that addresses the need for minority representation in healthcare
- Panel Discussion: A virtual conversation addressing healthcare disparities through local government
Spring 2021 Envisioning Equity Series
- Dr. Thomas A. LaVeist - From Exposure to Vaccination: The Role of Structural Racism in COVID-19 Inequities
- Dr. Paul Y. Song - How the COVID Pandemic Has Exposed the Real Inequality in Our Healthcare System and How We Can Do Better
- Dr. Linda Ray Murray - Health Justice: Changing The Face of Healthcare
- Dr. Renee Crichlow - Medical Mistrust: How Race Impacts Practitioners and Patients
- Dr. Michael Spencer - Achieving Racial Equity and Social Justice in Healthcare: Interprofessional and Community Collaboration