Welcome to Equity Challenge 2025!
Day 1: Equity Is Universal
Reading Time: 15 Minutes
Setting the Foundation
Welcome to Day 1 of your Equity Challenge. Over the next few days, we will explore critical concepts that shape equity and inclusion in our lives, workplaces, and communities. We begin with a powerful principle: Equity Is Universal.
You may be wondering: What does that mean? Isn’t equity about addressing racial or gender disparities? Yes — and.
Equity is a lens for acknowledging specific injustices. It is also a value system that demands fairness, dignity, and opportunity for everyone. It’s about ensuring that every person — no matter who they are, where they come from, or how they identify — has what they need to thrive.
At its core, equity is about meeting people where they are and providing what they need to reach fairness. It's not offering everyone the same thing. This distinction is key.
Equity moves us from a one-size-fits-all approach (equality) to a tailored approach that considers systemic barriers, historical context, and individual needs.
Equity vs. Equality: A Quick Clarifier
Equality is about sameness. It’s the idea that everyone should get the same resources, opportunities, or treatment.
Equity is about fairness. It recognizes that different people start from different places and may need different support to achieve similar outcomes.
Imagine a group of people watching a baseball game from behind a fence. Giving each person the same size box to stand on is equality. But what if one person is much shorter than the others? Equity would be giving each person the right-sized box (or even better, removing the fence altogether) so that they can all see the game.
Equity Is Universal — But Injustice Is Not Uniform
While equity belongs to everyone, injustice does not impact us all in the same way. Systems of oppression — such as racism, ableism, classism, sexism, and homophobia — create different barriers for different communities. Recognizing that some groups have been systemically excluded or harmed doesn’t mean that others are unimportant. Rather, equity calls on us to focus on those who have been most harmed while affirming everyone’s humanity.
A universal commitment to equity requires us to:
- Recognize difference without assigning value to it.
- Honor lived experiences across race, ability, language, gender, and class.
- Design policies and systems with the most marginalized in mind, knowing that when we do, we improve outcomes for everyone.
For example, curb cuts were designed for people using wheelchairs. But they also benefit injured veterans, parents with strollers, travelers with luggage, and delivery workers. This is the equity dividend — when we build with the margins in mind, everyone gains.
Universality as a Practice
Saying “equity is universal” is not the same as treating everyone identically. Instead, it’s a practice of creating conditions where everyone can belong and succeed. This means noticing who is left out of conversations, decisions, or opportunities — and doing something about it.
Equity is not charity. It's not about helping “those people.” It's about recognizing our shared humanity and committing to justice, not just diversity. In this way, equity is a universal responsibility.
No matter your role — manager, educator, student, parent, community member — you have a part to play. Equity work is not only the job of Human Resources or leadership. It’s not a single initiative. It’s a long-term, everyday practice rooted in curiosity, courage, and care.
Reflection Time: 15 Minutes
Use these prompts to think deeply, journal, or discuss with a peer or team. Spend one to three minutes per question. Find a quiet space. Be honest. Be curious. Be open.
Identity and Experience
What aspects of your identity most shape how you move through the world?
When was the first time you realized that some people experience life differently because of who they are?
Have you ever benefited from a system or norm that was not designed with others in mind? What did that feel like?
Awareness
Think of a space that you are part of (workplace, neighborhood, school). Who is often centered? Who is often left out?
Which barriers exist in your environment that prevent others from fully participating or thriving?
Can you recall a time when treating everyone the same way did not result in a fair outcome?
Responsibility and Action
In which ways do you contribute — actively or passively — to equity or inequity?
What is one assumption you hold about fairness that you’re willing to re-examine?
Who is missing from the conversations that you're part of? How can you help to include them?
Vision and Commitment
What does a universally equitable environment look like to you?
What role do you want to play in building a more equitable community?
What’s one small, tangible action that you can take this week to practice equity where you live or work?
Close With Intention
Take a deep breath. Equity work is lifelong work. It begins with awareness, but it doesn’t end there. Thank yourself for showing up today — with openness, reflection, and humility. Your commitment matters.
As we continue through the challenge, remember: Equity isn’t a destination. It’s a continuous, courageous practice — and it belongs to us all.
Have questions? Email Kevin Matta at kevin.matta@unitedwayri.org.