Finding and Creating Equitable Solutions - A Letter From the CEO

 As we celebrate Black History this month, it is especially important to reflect on the progress made while acknowledging the realities facing our African American neighbors. Across our programming, we see evidence that African Americans are disproportionately experiencing poverty and homelessness in our county. We cannot create equitable solutions unless we are willing to examine and address the challenges head on.

At IW, addressing these issues is an ongoing conversation.

This month we hosted the 1st Annual IW Faith & Community Partnerships Community Service Awards Brunch. This event provided an opportunity for guests to engage in a Faith & Philanthropy Forum focused on Economic Justice, in partnership with the Greater Washington Community Foundation. The Forum examined rights to a living wage, housing, education, health care, clean environment, and food in Montgomery County. We were excited to bring this important conversation to the forefront and encourage honest discussions around the disparities we see in the experiences of those we serve.

I am grateful to be recognized by the Community Foundation as one of a group of Black leaders pushing for economic justice. In an article highlighting our efforts, I share, “Economic equity ensures that our neighbors in Montgomery County have an opportunity to earn a livable wage sufficient to live without public assistance like rental subsidies, SNAP, or other government cash assistance.” I believe the work we are doing at Interfaith Works is helping our neighbors in vulnerable situations bridge the gap and find their pathway to stability, but we cannot do this alone. Click here to read the full article.

Earlier this month, I joined members of the IW staff and board in Annapolis to engage with elected officials to discuss our work, what we can accomplish, and how we can continue to work together to create equitable opportunities and outcomes for our neighbors in Montgomery County. We had a very successful visit. I have hope that these conversations will elevate attention to the support we need to make these solutions a reality.

I am very proud of the work IW has accomplished in the past few years, but we must acknowledge that our communities continue to be challenged by homelessness and poverty. We need better and stronger solutions.  Maryland Matters recently published an op-ed I wrote focused on prevention-based solutions in action and the need for more tools to expand access to affordable housing. You can read more about it here.

While I am proud that IW is a trusted source of thought leadership and accountability for equitable solutions, this is no time to rest. We must continue to have difficult conversations and confront the inequities specific to the Black community. Black History Month is a time for celebration, but also a time to look critically at how we can do better. Thank you for your support as we work towards finding just and equitable solutions.

Courtney Hall, CEO of Interfaith Works