Commit to equity
take meaningful action to address the issues of racial equity and justice
The data shows...
...at systemic inequities are the root causes of intergenerational poverty among people of color, here in Rhode Island as elsewhere in this country.
Until we can make sure everyone has an equal shot at the starting line, our state will never reach its full potential. We hope you’ll join us in this journey to make sure Rhode Island is a place where every individual in each community has equal opportunity for justice and prosperity.
What do we mean by "equity?"
Racial equity is a reality in which a person is no more or less likely to experience society’s benefits or burdens just because of the color of their skin.
We are united.
Hundreds of individuals and organizations throughout the state have already pledged to support our LIVE UNITED 2025 strategic plan and take meaningful action to address the issues of racial equity and justice in Rhode Island.
See our partners in equity.
Please join us by signing this pledge:
"We commit to stand with the United Way of Rhode Island to unite our community and resources to build racial equity and opportunities for all Rhode Islanders. We pledge to take meaningful action to address the issues of racial equity and justice in Rhode Island."
Take the 21-Day Equity Challenge
Ready to devote 15 minutes a day to equity? Try our 21-Day Equity Challenge. You may start when we launch on February 24, 2021 or any time after that.
Each day, you'll receive an email with resources to read, watch, listen to, or write about for 15 minutes. The real work of the Challenge, however, happens during the rest of the day, as you think more about what you’ve seen and recognize opportunities to learn and grow. For more information, read the FAQ.
learn about equity
How to be anti-racist, by Ibram X. Kendi
How to be less stupid about race: On racism, white supremacy, and the racial divide, by Crystal M. Fleming
Me and white supremacy: Combat racism, change the world, and become a good ancestor, by Layla F. Saad
This book is anti-racist: 20 lessons on how to wake up, take action, and to the work, by Tiffany Jewell
So you want to talk about race? by Ijeoma Oluo
Why are all the Black kids sitting together in the cafeteria? And other conversations about race, by Beverly Daniel Tatum
The color of law: A forgotten history of how our government segregated America, by Richard Rothstein
The new Jim Crow: Mass incarceration in the age of colorblindness, by Michelle Alexander
Just mercy: A story of justice and redemption, by Bryan Stevenson
How to teach kids about racism: A guide on how to educate your child about diversity and being antiracist, by Rebecca J. Jackson
An Indigenous peoples’ history of the United States for young people, by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
Stamped: Racism, antiracism, and you: A remix of the national book award-winning stamped from the beginning, by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi
Alliance to Mobilize Our Resistance (AMOR)
Alliance of Rhode Island Southeast Asians for Education
Center for Leadership and Educational Equity
Direct Action for Rights and Equality (DARE)
EduLeaders of Color Rhode Island
NAACP Providence Branch
Parents Leading for Educational Equity
Providence Youth Student Movement (PrYSM)
Rhode Island Black Business Association
Rhode Island Black Heritage Society
Rhode Island Coalition of Black Women
IN THE NEWS
15 Features Nonprofit Websites Should Have
Forbes Nonprofit Council
"With so many interactions taking place online, a solid website is a must-have for nonprofit organizations... To help you create a stand-out web presence, a panel of Forbes Nonprofit Council members, including United Way of Rhode Island's president and CEO Cortney Nicolato, share some features nonprofit websites must include to appeal to current and prospective members or supporters.”
401Gives helped local nonprofit stay open
WPRI 12
"401Gives... is held on April 1… This year, 401Gives is especially important since 2020 was a double hit for local nonprofits… with the pandemic collapsing their traditional fundraising opportunities, and… the need for their services increased. 'If we hadn't had 401Gives, we probably would not have made it through the year,' [Karen Dalton, founder of Dare to Dream Ranch] recalled."
401Gives hopes to raise $1.5M on April 1
Providence Business News
"The community will have another opportunity April 1 to offer their favorite nonprofits support. The second annual 401Gives... online campaign will go live that day... [Donors] can visit 401gives.org and send their donations to various charities and causes... Along with fundraising, United Way is also offering nonprofits digital training and networking opportunities to help the organizations benefit highly from... 401Gives."
UPCOMING EVENTS
Community Learning Partners Series
Join Women United from 12 – 1 p.m. for the next event in our Community Learning Partners Series, featuring New Urban Arts and Movement Education Outdoors. You'll hear how these organizations' afterschool programs are fostering creativity, problem-solving, and a growth mindset in amazing spaces.
Strength in Storytelling: “All American Boys”
Join Women United from 6 – 7 p.m. for a virtual discussion about the award-winning novel “All American Boys” by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely. This discussion will be hosted by Women United member Kristin Cassarino, an instructor at Providence College and William M. Davies, Jr. Career and Technical High School, and Dr. Adama Brown, United Way of Rhode Island's director of research and data analytics.
2021 Children’s Book Drive, a Community First Conversation
Join us from noon– 12:30 p.m. for our Community First Conversation about our 2021 Children's Book Drive. Our hosts are Women United's chair Peggy Lamb and executive member Nancy Serpa. They will be joined by Jocelynn White, executive director at Books Are Wings, and Lori DiMatteo, volunteer coordinator at United Way of Rhode Island.
2021 Children’s Book Drive
From May 1 – 31, United Way of Rhode Island, Women United, and Books Are Wings are collecting gently-used and new books for our 2021 Children's Book Drive. You can run a book drive at your school or workplace, or with your friends and family. Books may be dropped off at Cardi's Furniture & Mattresses locations in West Warwick, RI, South Attleboro, MA, and Swansea, MA. For more information on drop-off locations or running a book drive, contact bookdrive@unitedwayri.org.