Equity Office Launches ‘Real Talk!’ Platform for State Employees

By the OFFICE OF EQUITY

We invite you to join our new Real Talk! platform created for everyone to engage in honest dialogue to foster understanding about racial equity, justice and belonging so we can co-create a state government system that works for everyone.

Watch this video for more information. And you can register here for our first monthly meeting from 11 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Feb. 22.

In this space, we will unpack truth, learn and grow from one another and together experience healing from harm. We encourage you to lean in, be curious and explore experiences different from your own.

This is the moment and place to have real talk to truly transform our agencies into places where real people experience equity, justice and belonging every day — now and for generations to come.

What

This will be a space to discuss, learn and engage on how to take action related to advancing justice, equity and belonging. No topic or theme is off limits for this honest and courageous Real Talk! series.

Why

This was created for state agency employees to lean in, be curious and become open to exploring experiences different from our own.

Who

Our Real Talk! hosts are:

• Kendrick Stewart, deputy director, Department of Commerce
• Megan Matthews, engagement manager, Department of Social and Health Services
• David Puente Jr., deputy director, Department of Veterans Affairs
• María Sigüenza, executive director, Commission on Hispanic Affairs
• Other state agency champions

When

These conversations will occur the fourth Tuesday of every month beginning Feb. 22 with a prerecorded introduction that will be available to provide background information.

Where

These conversations will be virtual until we can meet in person and will be recorded for accessibility and posted to the Office of Equity’s website for viewing at any time. Please register at https://forms.office.com/g/ycJ3rtTjU2.

The Washington State Office of Equity is committed to hosting accessible events that promote belonging, justice, and dignity. To request communication services (interpreters, written information in other languages, or other services) or accommodations, please call 360.902.3355 or 711 (Telephone Relay Service), or email info@equity.wa.gov. The Office of Equity strongly encourages participants to make requests at least 14 days in advance of the event to allow time to make the proper arrangements.

Commerce contributed to this article, which was distributed via the Washington Internal Communicators Roundtable (WICR).