In 2024, the Blueprint staff undertook a full equity assessment of its structure and practices. Here’s what we learned and how we intend to grow.
Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger: 2024 Equity Assessment Summary
Defining equity
Equity, as defined by the Blueprint, is achieved when everyone has a fair and just opportunity to live the healthiest life possible, regardless of identity, location, or socioeconomic background. This requires addressing systemic oppression, including white supremacy, patriarchy, colonialism, and bigotry.
Why equity matters
Hunger impacts everyone, but systemic inequities disproportionately affect marginalized communities. The Blueprint’s mission centers on challenging these barriers through intentional, equitable practices and elevating the voices of those most impacted.
Assessment framework
The assessment framework evaluated organizational readiness and practices across multiple domains:
Practices and procedures: Transparency, inclusion in decision-making, and accessible communication.
Community engagement: Equitable decision-making and inclusive strategies.
Anti-racist institutional policies: Leadership diversity, training, and disrupting racism.
Human resources practices: Pay equity, diverse hiring, and transparent compensation.
Language justice: Accessible and inclusive communication, including translation and interpretation services.
Data and evaluation: Community-defined metrics and disaggregated data.
Community organizing: Movement-building and capacity-building that’s grounded in challenging systems of oppression.
Key findings
Strengths: Commitment to transparency, bilingualism, and community-centered decision-making.
Opportunities for growth: Establishing clear parameters around data collection and use that adhere to equity commitments, enhancing HR policies affirming organizational values, improving clarity around communication and decision-making processes, and developing stronger mechanisms to integrate community feedback into organizational policies and strategies.
Work plans for implementation
The Blueprint developed targeted work plans to address assessment findings:
Human Resources: Conduct pay equity analysis, ensure bilingual job postings, and allocate annual budgets for DEI work.
Policy and Community Justice: Foster community engagement through Q&A sessions, focus groups, and forums. Strengthen communication norms and equity in decision-making.
Communications and Accessibility: Perform language justice assessments, track accessibility requests, and implement top-priority recommendations.
Data and Evaluation: Establish data equity principles emphasizing respectful and valid data collection, disaggregation, and accessibility.
Ongoing accountability
The Blueprint is committed to continuous improvement through:
Recurring equity audits: Conducting self-assessments every two years, with off-years dedicated to implementing changes.
Professional development: Requiring staff to engage in equity training at least once every two years.
Diverse staffing: Ensuring 50% of staff represent marginalized communities.
Equity metrics: Developing measures to track progress and uphold organizational values.
Looking Ahead
By integrating equity into every facet of its work, the Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger aims to lead by example and inspire systemic change. These efforts reflect a deep commitment to creating a Colorado where everyone can access the food they choose, where they want it, and when they need it.