About Southwest Washington Equity Coalition
In 2016, community leaders and organizations came together to address the real fear of racialized violence throughout southwest Washington and in Clark County. What transpired was an opportunity to collectively organize to address overt racism expressed in U.S. national rhetoric and policy, and how it manifests in southwest Washington at the local level.
Through training and planning over the next couple of years, the Southwest WA Equity Coalition (SWEC) was formed and an initial Charter developed. Leaders of SWEC represent a cross-sector group of organizations and community leaders seeking to advance racial equity through policy advocacy, institutional change, and creating an inclusive culture in southwest Washington. SWEC in context is transformational in promoting equity and inclusion in meaningful and collaborative relationships built on trust.
SWEC has identified the need to nurture relationships between racial equity leaders and provide healing and support for people of color in southwest WA. SWEC recognizes that racism is institutional and seeks to both address racial disparities and advocate for racial equity in local, state, and organizational policy and processes. Setting the foundation for SWEC’s transformational work is the Advancing Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion virtual teach-ins.
Membership
Members are committed to advancing the mission of the Coalition, and dedicated to the process and implementation of the Coalition strategies. We represent a unique cross-section of this community, such as nonprofits, education, healthcare, community advocacy groups, philanthropy, social services, and community leaders who share a commitment to advancing racial justice.
Our Members
- Aaron Helenihi, KALO Hawaiian Civic Club of Oregon and Southwest Washington
- Betty Montgomery, Unitarian Universalist Church of Vancouver
- Carol Jack, Living for Christ Chuukese Church
- MaCaroline Lopez, Washington Low Income Housing Alliance
- Clara Johnson, Council for the Homeless
- Corie Dow Kramer, Youth and Family Link
- Diana Avalos Leos, Clark County Latino Youth Conference
- Dominique Horn, SW WA Accountable Community of Health (SWACH)
- Dustin Daniel, PeaceHealth
- Dr. Charlene Williams, Camas School District
- Dunetchka Otero-Serrano, YWCA Clark County
- Elizabeth Fitzgearld, Clark County Volunteer Lawyers Program
- Elizabeth Najera, Latino Community Resource Group
- Gabriela Ewing, Pasitos Gigantes
- Glicerio Zurita, One America
- Janell Ephraim, Vancouver Public Schools
- Jasmine Tolbert, NAACP
- Joseph Hernandez, NAACP
- Joseph Seia, PICA WA
- Karyn Kameroff, Cowlitz Indian Tribe
- Karen Morrison, Odyssey World
- Klarissa Hightower, Evergreen Public Schools
- Laura Ellsworth, Council for the Homeless
- Layla Afu, Pacific Islander Community Association of Washington
- Maka Gibson, Community Foundation for Southwest Washington
- Mari Helenihi, KALO, Hawaiian Civic Club of Oregon and Southwest Washington
- Mercedes White Calf, NAYA
- Nichole Peppers, SW WA Accountable Community of Health
- Rachel Cason, Vancouver Public Schools
- Rashida Willard, Clark College
- Riikka Salonen, At large community seat
- Rosalba Pitkin, Clark College
- Rosalinda Mendoza Latino Youth Leadership Northwest
- Shona Carter Community Foundation for Southwest Washington
- Sidney Morgan Red Sea Road Consulting
- Siobhana McEwen, Council for the Homeless
- Terrell Berry, A Way Home Washington
- Victor Jackson, Columbia River Mental Health Services
- Xaviera Martinez, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)