A citywide coalition of civic institutions and leaders has formed in Chicago calling for a collective commitment to reimagine how civic power flows through three primary channels: money, narratives and policy.  Asserting that “equity means action,” the group wants to encourage those who have released equity statements to do more, and has developed a statement of its own, along with a toolkit of digital resources, to help organizations and individuals do better when it comes to supporting racial equity and/or movements for Black Lives.

Named Just Action Racial Equity Collaborative (Just Action), the coalition believes that organizations and leaders pursuing racial equity must begin with three important steps: acknowledge their personal and organization history; shift power to historically marginalized groups; and, establish systems of accountability.  Just Action was formed shortly after the murder of Minneapolis resident George Floyd in May 2020. In the wake of his death, many organizations, corporations and individuals posted empathetic statements of support for Black and Brown people and communities.  The statement has been signed by nearly 150 individuals and organizations. These include the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, A Better Chicago and the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless.  The statement is available at www.JustAction.co/