Advancing Equity in the Cedar Valley is Focus of Nonprofit Convening Event
December 21, 2022
As a part of its ongoing effort to advance racial equity, the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa served as a lead partner and co-creator of the Advancing Equity in the Cedar Valley convening event. Over 110 individuals representing more than 65 Cedar Valley organizations came together on September 13 to celebrate equity efforts and to have collaborative conversations leading to actions for equity in Waterloo and Cedar Falls. A second session was also held as part of the Cedar Valley Economic Inclusion Summit.
“We recognize that to move the needle forward and achieve equity, it takes us all coming together. A more equitable community is possible when people and communities move beyond obligatory inclusion to true cocreation, and that is what the events are all about,” said Dr. Nafissa Cisse Egbuonye, Associate Vice President of Growth and Community Engagement at Molina Healthcare, CFNEIA Board Member, and Chair of CFNEIA’s Racial Equity Advisory Committee.
The event brought leaders together to share equity initiatives and collectively continue developing a strategic action plan for Black Hawk County communities. Three areas of energy to advance equity were identified using input from the event sessions:
- Mobilize and connect people, organizations, and resources to advance equity.
- Remove barriers by creating opportunities for equitable access to resources and capital.
- Support organizations and communities to develop equitable practices.
Lead partners joining the Community Foundation are Black Hawk County Public Health and Grow Cedar Valley.
More information on all of CFNEIA's work to advance racial equity can be found at cfneia.org/racialequity.
