Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access
We are committed to advancing equity centered on valuing and embracing diverse identities and experiences and guided by inclusiveness, accessibility, compassion, mutual respect, and humility in partnership with our team and the community. At the center of each community priority is a focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and access, ensuring that our efforts address systemic inequities and support thriving communities.
No one’s race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, socio-economic, housing, or justice-involved status should
limit their access to opportunity.
Civic and Cultural Life
Together, we lift every voice.
We’re committed to expanding civic and cultural opportunities that bring together people of diverse backgrounds to sustain
equitable, thriving communities.
When community members are better connected with each other, with public and cultural institutions, and with the places they live, we also see increases in a range of positive factors including physical health, employment rates, and resilience and response to emergencies.
Climate Action and Sustainability
Together, we protect the place we call home.
As proud Rhode Islanders, we strive to mitigate the impacts of climate change and develop real resilience, especially within
communities deeply and disproportionately affected by environmental pollution.
With a challenge of this magnitude, Rhode Islanders must work together to turn the tide and protect the places we love.
Our state’s unique susceptibility to climate change requires coordinated attention.
Education and Student Success
Together, we’re improving education outcomes.
We’re committed to strengthening student experiences, educator support, and collaborative efforts to address inequities and set all Rhode Islanders up for educational success.
A thriving state depends on a public education system working equitably and urgently to prepare all students to succeed in life and access pathways to opportunity.
Healthy and Strong Communities
Together, we care for our neighbors.
We work for equitable access, use, and quality of healthcare, expanding collaborations that address social determinants of health, workforce needs, healthcare costs, and the overall health and well-being of all Rhode Islanders.
Access to high-quality, affordable, sustainable, and culturally appropriate healthcare is critical to the health of Rhode Island as a whole. More than that, it’s a fundamental right.
Get the facts
Housing and Economic Mobility
Together, we’re closing the gap.
We’re identifying and addressing barriers to affordable housing throughout the state, reducing economic disparities, and improving household financial stability and equitable wealth building.
Economic opportunity should be within reach for all Rhode Islanders, including affordable housing, career mobility, and generational wealth building, particularly within historically underserved communities.
Only Together
We’ve spent more than a year conducting a careful assessment of our work and engaging deeply with Rhode Islanders from diverse backgrounds and experiences. The outcome is an evolved mission and approach that is informed by the people we serve, and by our experience over the last 100+ years. A critically important part of this work is a deepened commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access (DEIA).
Explore our Five-Year Action Plan