MAKING EQUITY REAL | DEVELOP A VISION OF EQUITY

The concept of equity is difficult to relay in words or definition. While it could be constructed to appeal to scholars and wordsmiths, it would not encompass the myriad visions of what equity is or how it should expand the imagination of what is possible. Visions will vary, so it is important to attempt to "put a face" on equity. Look for common points that will help to create a vision to stretch the imagination. Vision will not answer questions as much as raise them.

For example, a vision could be to "eliminate poverty and create the conditions for all people to participate fully in the economic, social, cultural, and political life of the region. In the New Mid South, the Mid South where our children and grandchildren live,

• disparities in public education disappear, and all children have access to high-quality public education;
  
  
• all people—regardless of race, gender, or geography—have access to capital, enabling them to build assets and pursue opportunity;
  
  
• public policies support the creation and preservation of wealth for all people, including low-wealth and low-income populations;
  
  
• full civic participation is a cornerstone of an equitable society, with all citizens voting in elections, diverse officeholders allocating resources and making the decisions for communities, and people working across the racial divide within local communities to make change possible;
  
  
• the formal holders of power in the region—the women and men who serve on corporate, philanthropic, nonprofit and governmental boards and commissions—are diverse and representative of the region;
  
  
• employment practices—the hiring, development, and promotion of employees—are extended equally to all people;
  
  
• the availability of accessible, high-quality, and affordable health care results in enhanced well-being and wellness for all of the region's people.