Southwest Washington Equity Coalition (SWEC) mission and vision are realized through our theory of change.

This work unfolds as a three-step journey. We begin with our guiding assumptions — the core beliefs and truths that ground our understanding of inequity and inform how we show up. From there, we move into our strategies, where those beliefs take shape through collective action, organizing, and collaboration. Finally, we look to the fruits of our labor — the tangible and intangible outcomes that reflect progress toward equity, justice, and shared power.

1. Our guiding assumptions

Generational wisdom 

Knowledge passed down to us from our ancestors, embodied knowledge, and inner knowing must be honored and celebrated. Generational wisdom is how we will chart a course towards liberation.

Adaptive leadership

We must adapt and embrace change. Rooted in generational wisdom, we must shift and morph current social, political, white-supremacist, and neo-liberal systems into ones that are nurturing and supportive for communities of color and culture.

Solidarity dividend

We understand that what is good for communities of color and culture is good for everyone. If we succeed, then everyone succeeds.

2. Our strategies

Leadership development

We support leaders of color in learning how to serve on municipal boards, commissions, and other leadership roles to increase progressive representation of BIPOC leaders in gov and civil institutions. We do this through training as well as through racial equity, diversity, and inclusion work.

Cultural celebration and liberatory research

We invest in our communities of color and culture in ways that support and celebrate generational wisdom. Rooted in community practices and generational wisdom, we will conduct community-centered research to inform our approaches, build our collective power, and develop more liberatory policies, programs, and practices.

Transformational, relational learning

We work with and welcome, white-bodied groups that are committed to our mutual liberation and understanding to learn with us. Together, we will approach learning opportunities with curiosity and openness to move away from systems of oppression and towards liberation.

3. The fruits of our labor

Leadership that reflects our people, communities, and cultures

Across public office, nonprofits, education, and corporate spaces, leadership will reflect the communities they serve. People of color and culture will lead in decision-making spaces — shaping policy, driving change, and advancing a just future — rooted in and supported by our leadership development work.

Leaders with solidary dividend mindsets

White-bodied leaders in our community will have engaged with our organization, and will embrace a “solidarity dividend” mindset, moving our community towards a more just future.

Communities of color with strong civic voices

Our communities will be deeply involved in civic engagement — government leaders will seek, value and implement feedback from communities of color and culture, and our communities will actively seek opportunities to engage with our leaders.

Diverse cultures flourishing

Global languages, cuisines, celebrations and traditions will flourish in Southwest Washington.

Increased access for communities of color

Our communities of color and culture will experience increased and equitable access to health care, housing, education and high-quality jobs.

Southwest Washington as a model for others

Southwest Washington will be seen, regionally and nationally as an example of what is possible when people build power across racial, ethnic and class lines, while still honoring and celebrating the diversity that makes us all unique. 

Notes:

• The Southwest Washington Equity Coalition puts our Theory of Change into action with our 501(c)(4), the Love and Justice Alliance. 
• When we refer to “people of color and culture,” we are using a phrase coined by Resmaa Menakem to describe all bodies who have experienced racialized or cultural trauma. 
• “Solidarity Dividend” is a phrase coined by Heather McGhee, in her book, The Sum of Us.