A meeting of the Jefferson Community Collaborative was held on November 21, 2024, at the Commonwealth Charter Academy in Homestead as an initiative of the Diversity Equity, Inclusion and Racial Justice (DEIRJ) Action Team. The meeting topic, The Racial Wealth Gap Simulation, was hosted by three staff members of United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania (UWSP) Damon Bethea, Manager of Building for Success in School and Life and DEI Lead; Wendy Koch, Senior Director of Regional Engagement; and Allaina Wagner, Engagement Coordinator. More than 90 nonprofit partners were represented.
Through a review of 13 significant historical policies and practices participants were able to experience and discuss how these events contributed to the racial wealth gap that impacts families nationally and within this region.
Participants were seated in small groups. They were invited to participate in the experience by selecting a racial identity of African American or White for the game. The purpose was to highlight the impact of historical policies on the accumulation of wealth. This was accomplished by enabling attendees to gain or lose tokens dependent upon how laws impacted families both immediately and over many years differently by race.
Small groups shared personal stories, key insights, and engaged in dialogue. Many nonprofit partners shared new or increased awareness regarding policies that impact family life.
Following the simulation Godfrey Bethea, Vice President of Equity, People, and Culture of Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, offered insight on how his organization applied the experience to the work of the Food Bank. Damon is also a member of the Collaborative’s DEIRJ Action Team.
The next meeting of the Jefferson Community Collaborative will be on Thursday, February 27, 2024.