In today’s diverse world, social equity drives public policy as well as, conversations on how communities are engaged. Growing education, health, ethnic, and gender, and income gaps, have fostered rising disparities across America. When ethnic and gender dynamics are included, policies promoting equity can reduce poverty and boost cohesive solutions that reduce conflict.

Why is social equity so important?
Social equity guides how we include different voices in our workforce, how we address systemic bias, how embrace different perspectives, and how we address future growth. According to the one organization, social equity is the “…..fair, just, and equitable management of all institutions serving the public directly and is committed to promoting fairness, justice, and equity in the formation of public policy.” Social equity isn’t based upon everyone receiving the same exact benefit. Social equity is based upon rebalancing social benefits (i.e. educational, economic, voting, justice. etc.) in a way that allocates the correct resources to the correct stakeholders.

Why does social equity matter?
Between 2018-2021, the United States experienced unheralded upheaval.  Racial tensions, a global pandemic, social justice challenges, and political upheaval exposed systemic fissures. According to CDC and Human Rights research, minority community access to Covid-19 vaccine options exposed systemic socio-economic & health inequities.

Policing policy and social justice inequities impact educational attainment, financial security, and legal system bias. “Twilight Zone” and “Access to What?” illustrate how legal system inequities create stressors and psychological trauma in “at risk” communities. UCLA’s Law School research revealed LGBTQ communities face law enforcement harassment and profiling challenges. The Brennar Center for Justice addressed far-right militancy in “policing” and it’s impact on minority communities. ACLU research spotlighted glaring law enforcement differences between marijuana reform policies and increased marijuana arrests in minority communities.  

Another social challenge impacting communities is learning inequities. Prior to Covid-19, 25% of schools with large Black and Latino enrollment didn’t offer Algebra II and 33% didn’t offer chemistry. According to Education Week, African American students were suspended and expelled 300% more than Caucasian students. Once Covid-19 shuttered school doors and forced distance learning, racial and social gaps were compounded. During the pandemic, Latinx children experienced profound academic losses because of school closures and distance learning. African American pervasive learning gaps were magnified due to academic and social challenges associated with distance learning. Asian American and Pacific Island students faced greater cyber and classroom bullying due to Covid-19 myths.

How does Bh8ve Foundation impact social inequities?
Addressing social inequities requires more than a “big bang” approach. Social inequity solutions require cohesive and collaborative partnerships that include corporate, civic, and other non-profits. Bh8ve Foundation is partnering with local non-profits and civic partners focused on learning inequities. Bh8ve Foundation and the Georgia Radio Service (GaRRS) are partnering on digital news and learning content for Georgia’s dyslexic and learning challenged citizens. Bh8ve Foundation is also partnering with national partners focused on learning inequities. Bh8ve Foundation and Learning Ally are partnering to transform the lives of early and established learners. The Learning Ally and Bh8ve Foundation partnership allows Bh8ve Foundation to reach 1.5 million students, 200k students, and +18k schools.

Bh8ve Foundation’s literacy strategy also captures another issues associated with digital literacy. Ethnic minority youth are large consumers of digital content but challenged to find cultural representation in digital media. Recent research revealed the importance of representation in digital media. Cultural representation provides ethnic stakeholders vital content and of positive images. When students hear voices or stories representing their interests, students are more apt to embrace learning content. #RepresentationMatters and Edutopia, and Variety all illustrate the hours students spend consuming media reinforces their imagination, perception of self, and their learning trajectory. Bh8ve Foundation extends this analysis by producing & distributing content representing stakeholders consuming traditional and digital media. Second, Bh8ve Foundation provides professional talent representing ethnic minority communities.

Bh8ve Foundation realizes social inequities are based upon systemic and historical inequities. Using an innovative and mission focused strategy assures communities are always engaged.