Equity Action Circle

The Equity Action Circle consists of 15 community members representing diverse backgrounds, valuable perspectives and lived experiences:

• Dr. Mohamed Alfash
• Thomas Berry
• Dr. Rodolfo Batres
• Dawn Blanchard
• Mary K. Boyd
• Laura Dorn
• Alfreda Flowers
• Snowdon Herr
• Hilary Lor
• Suzanne Madison
• Dr. Tamara Mattison
• Richard McLemore
• Dr. Javiera (Javi) Monardez-Popelka
• Marika Reese
• John Thompson

Read member bios

The EAC has identified five priority areas in which to focus their work and recommendations:

• Family and youth.
• Healthcare.
• Housing.
• Policy and practices.
• Workforce.

In August 2020, the EAC launched sub-committees for each of the priority areas. The sub-committees include EAC members, RECERT staff members and additional community members selected by the EAC.

Learn: Understand Ramsey County's vision and strategy to advance racial equity during the COVID-19 response.

Evaluate: Review and evaluate the racial equity action plan, current policies, practices and procedures that impact racial and ethnic communities during the COVID-19 response.

Plan: Applying an equity lens, develop recommendations to address immediate, short-term and long-term inequities due to COVID-19, and co-develop strategies with RECERT to address unmet resident needs.

Participate: Attend and actively participate in virtual Equity Action Circle meetings, including involvement in sub-group work.

• Up to an eight-month time commitment is required from all members (May 2020 - December 2020), with the possibility of an extension.
• Committee meetings will occur weekly or until decided otherwise determined.
• Community members will be compensated for their time, knowledge and expertise over an eight-month time period.  If representing an organization, the agency may be compensated.   
• Call-in or internet-based remote access will be required.
• Meetings will be action-based and open to the public as decided by the Circle in various formats.
• Focus area sub-groups meeting may meet outside of the larger advisory committee meetings.
• Accessibility or language needs will be accommodated with timely and appropriate notice.

In October 2020, the Equity Action Circle submitted a report to the county with a series of immediate, short-term and long-term recommendations to address community needs related to the pandemic that are also the result of inequities due to centuries of institutional and structural racism.

• EAC recommendations report - Oct. 18, 2020 (PDF)
• Memo: County response to recommendations (PDF)
• Recommendations bi-monthly report: March-April (PDF)

Historically, racial and ethnic communities have been impacted by the trauma of lived experiences, racism and mistrust of government. Health care systems have taken advantage of their despair, pain and suffering. Racial and ethnic communities are often blamed for the disease and socioeconomic outcomes that results in the disparities we see today.

Ramsey County must be conscious of what has happened in other jurisdictions as we see disproportionate numbers of racial and ethnic communities across the nation who have contracted COVID-19 and died from its complications. We recognize the road to health and economic recovery is significantly impacted by the root causes of historical racism, poverty and other inequalities. 

Ramsey County has committed to advancing racial and health equity in all decision-making and inclusive, effective and meaningful community engagement are two of its strategic priorities. Ramsey County has a responsibility to address the racial inequities and injustices faced by the racial, ethnic and cultural communities including: Black, American Indian, Indigenous, Asian, Latinx/Hispanic, African Born, other immigrant and refugee communities, and people with disabilities during this pandemic.