“I learned that racism, like most systems of oppression, isn’t about bad people doing terrible things to people who are different from them but instead is a way of maintaining power for certain groups at the expense of others.”

— Alicia Garza, The Purpose of Power: How We Come Together When We Fall Apart

Victory Garden Initiative:

Anti-Racism Commitment Policy

Effective Date: 01/01/2024

Policy Statement:

Victory Garden Initiative (VGI) is dedicated to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and just environment for all individuals, particularly those from marginalized communities. We affirm our commitment to anti-racism as a central value and essential component of Our Mission, and we recognize that systemic racism and racial inequities are pervasive and require intentional and sustained action to dismantle.

Purpose:

The purpose of this policy is to outline Victory Garden Initiative’s commitment to anti-racism, to promote an organizational culture that prioritizes equity, and to establish actionable measures to address and reduce racism within our operations, community engagement, and organizational practices.

Scope:

This policy applies to all employees, board members, volunteers, and contractors affiliated with Victory Garden Initiative.

Commitments:

1. De-Centering Whiteness:

  • VGI will actively recruit, hire, and promote multi-racial, multi-cultural staff, executive directors, and board members to ensure that our organization reflects the demographics of the communities we serve.

2. Anti-Racism Training:

  • VGI will provide training for staff and board, and other opportunities for self-education and dialogue to address bias, further our knowledge, and ensure sustained progress toward Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion  (JEDI) goals.

3. Organizational Culture and Values:

  • VGI will cultivate a workplace culture that actively addresses microaggressions and reinforces our commitment to anti-racism.

  • We will implement a collaborative leadership model aimed at sharing power and decision-making, through co-directives and team-led meetings.

  • We will raise our salaries and benefit packages to family sustaining and competitive levels.

  • We will develop revenue streams for paid workers to decrease reliance on program volunteers and unpaid interns.

4. Community Engagement:

  • VGI will engage authentically and meaningfully with members of the Harambee neighborhood and the Milwaukee community, ensuring that our programs and initiatives reflect their needs and aspirations.

  • We will seek partnerships with other organizations and community members committed to anti-racism and social justice.

Implementation and Accountability:

  • The Executive Director and board are responsible for overseeing the implementation of this policy and ensuring that anti-racism principles are integrated into all aspects of our work.

  • VGI will conduct regular evaluations of our practices, policies, and culture to identify areas for improvement and to hold ourselves accountable to our commitments.

  • Feedback from staff, board members, and community stakeholders will be actively sought and incorporated into our ongoing efforts to uphold this policy.

Conclusion:

Victory Garden Initiative is committed to continuous learning and growth in our anti-racism journey. We recognize that we will not achieve our goals overnight; however, we are dedicated to making meaningful progress toward an equitable and just society for all.

For Questions or Concerns:

For any questions regarding this policy or to provide feedback, please contact helpusgrow@victorygardeninitiative.org.

Review Date: 08/15/2024

This policy page serves as a guideline and framework for Victory Garden Initiative’s ongoing commitment to anti-racism, providing clear direction and accountability for all members of the organization. It will be reviewed annually and updated as necessary.