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If you commit to doing the 21 Day RACIAL EQUITY and SOCIAL JUSTICE challenge it is highly recommended that you journal your reflections each day and that you do it with a friend/co-worker. At the end of the challenge write down what moved you the most and/or what questions you have. Please feel free to share them with the Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice's Training Program Manager-Jeanette Rojas by e-mailing her at Jeanette.Rojas@montgomerycountymd.gov.

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If you commit to doing the 21 Day RACIAL EQUITY and SOCIAL JUSTICE challenge it is highly recommended that you journal your reflections each day and that you do it with a friend/co-worker. At the end of the challenge write down what moved you the most and/or what questions you have. Please feel free to share them with the Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice's Training Program Manager-Jeanette Rojas by e-mailing her at Jeanette.Rojas@montgomerycountymd.gov.

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In the book Blindspot, the authors reveal hidden biases based on their experience with the Implicit Association Test. Project Implicit is graciously hosting electronic versions of Blindspot 's IATs. These should work properly on any desktop computer and on several touch-screen devices including iPads, Android tablets, Nook tablets, and the Kindle Fire.

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Day 3 - Talk with a trusted friend/partner about one of your biases. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable!

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Day 3 - Talk with a trusted friend/partner about one of your biases. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable!

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Day 4- Let's take a walk down the African American walking tour in Rockville. Invite a friend! Write something that you learned below.

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Day 4- Let's take a walk down the African American walking tour in Rockville. Invite a friend! Write something that you learned below.

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Day 5 - Who's land do you live on? Let's do some research! Go to: https://native-land.ca/

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Day 5 - Who's land do you live on? Let's do some research! Go to: https://native-land.ca/

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Day 6 - Journaling time-you've already gone through 5 days of assessments, research, and tours. What are you feeling? What questions do you have? 

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Day 6 - Journaling time-you've already gone through 5 days of assessments, research, and tours. What are you feeling? What questions do you have? 

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Day 7 - Empathy is critical during difficult conversations but what exactly is it? Watch this short video with Dr. Brene Brown and ask yourself if you are using empathy in your interactions. 

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Day 7 - Empathy is critical during difficult conversations but what exactly is it? Watch this short video with Dr. Brene Brown and ask yourself if you are using empathy in your interactions. 

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Day 8 - Can you listen empathetically? When someone is talking to you, do you listen or are you thinking about what to say next? Watch this short clip on the power of listening and try it next time you talk with a friend.

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Day 8 - Can you listen empathetically? When someone is talking to you, do you listen or are you thinking about what to say next? Watch this short clip on the power of listening and try it next time you talk with a friend.

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Communication Skills: Empathetic Listening - Inside Out, 2015

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Day 9- Courageous conversations on race are not easy. You may feel uncomfortable because you're just not used to having them or past trauma may come up. Practice leaning into these talks using some 'community agreements'. Write a few down for yourself and share with a trusted friend. Here are a couple to get you started: 1-What is said here, stays here; what is learned here, leaves here. 2-Offer what you can, ask for what you need.

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Day 9- Courageous conversations on race are not easy. You may feel uncomfortable because you're just not used to having them or past trauma may come up. Practice leaning into these talks using some 'community agreements'. Write a few down for yourself and share with a trusted friend. Here are a couple to get you started: 1-What is said here, stays here; what is learned here, leaves here. 2-Offer what you can, ask for what you need.

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Day 10 - Sign up for a training with the Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice, set up a time to chat with the Training Program Manager and/or join us for a book club/brown bag lunch!

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Day 10 - Sign up for a training with the Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice, set up a time to chat with the Training Program Manager and/or join us for a book club/brown bag lunch!

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The Purpose

The Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice (ORESJ) is a county-wide office focused on advancing racial equity and dismantling structural racism within County Government. The ORESJ was created in December of 2019 by The Racial Equity and Social Justice Act to help reduce and ultimately eliminate racial and other disparities experienced by residents of color across Montgomery County. We do this by supporting County Departments in normalizing conversations on race and other equity issues, organizing staff to work together for transformational change, and operationalizing new practices, policies and procedures that are equity centered.impact plans.

We have been given the charge of facilitating the Racial Equity and Social Justice Committee, training County staff and Equity Leads, and conducting department-wide Equity Assessments to assist every department in creating Racial Equity Action Plans.

The Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice recognizes that it will take transformational shifts within government to truly address disparities experienced by communities of color and low-income communities, and therefore we focus our efforts on building capacity within the government to understand what it takes to advance racial equity within every County Department. We believe that equity is everyone's job, and our office provides training, technical assistance and tools to all of our County Departments and the staff.

Background

"Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced" - James Baldwin

At first glance Montgomery County appears to be a bastion of wealth and opportunity. In fact, until very recently Montgomery County was the richest county in Maryland. Upon closer examination we found revealing disparities in education, housing, transportation, poverty and income.

Data only partially helps us to understand these disparities, as a County government and as a community we need to center the lived experiences of members of communities of color. We must take an honest look at history, systems and institutions to analyze how disproportionality exists across all sectors and issue areas.

We will take a systems approach to our analysis ridding ourselves of the myth that individual people are the problem. We must understand that people are not the problem, it is the systems and institutions (including government), and the policies and practices that they have created, perpetuated and maintained that lead to these outcomes.

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Office of Racial Equity & Social Justice Overview Page

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The Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice (ORESJ) is a county-wide office focused on advancing racial equity and dismantling structural racism within County Government. The ORESJ was created in December of 2019 by The Racial Equity and Social Justice Act to help reduce and ultimately eliminate racial and other disparities experienced by residents of color across Montgomery County.

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Day 11 - Host a brunch, lunch, cook-out where you let your friends now that you will be discussing social justice/racial equity. Ask them to bring a question and be prepared to share a personal story in a safe space. Community agreements/ground rules are a must! 

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Day 11 - Host a brunch, lunch, cook-out where you let your friends now that you will be discussing social justice/racial equity. Ask them to bring a question and be prepared to share a personal story in a safe space. Community agreements/ground rules are a must! 

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Day 12 - Check your language. Are you using inclusive language? Read through the American Psychological Association's Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion 'Inclusive Language Guidelines' here: https://www.apa.org/about/apa/equity-diversity-inclusion/language-guidelines.pdf 

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Day 12 - Check your language. Are you using inclusive language? Read through the American Psychological Association's Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion 'Inclusive Language Guidelines' here: https://www.apa.org/about/apa/equity-diversity-inclusion/language-guidelines.pdf 

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Day 13 - What does inclusiveness mean to you? Take this day to look at things through an equity and inclusion lens in regards to where you work, where you shop, your family, and what you do/where you go for fun. What do you see? Is there inclusivity around us and what does that look like? Journal or talk to a friend about your observations.

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Day 13 - What does inclusiveness mean to you? Take this day to look at things through an equity and inclusion lens in regards to where you work, where you shop, your family, and what you do/where you go for fun. What do you see? Is there inclusivity around us and what does that look like? Journal or talk to a friend about your observations.

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Day 14-Find out what each letter of LGBTQIA+ stands for.

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Day 14-Find out what each letter of LGBTQIA+ stands for.

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Day 15-Attend an event that celebrates a culture different than your own.

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Day 15-Attend an event that celebrates a culture different than your own.

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Day 16-Join a book club that focuses on equity and inclusion. Montgomery County Libraries has tons of resources!

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Day 16-Join a book club that focuses on equity and inclusion. Montgomery County Libraries has tons of resources!

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Day 17-Explore the history of Montgomery County by watching Finding Fellowship with Jason Green Chair of the Commission on Reconciliation and Remembrance in Montgomery County.

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Day 17-Explore the history of Montgomery County by watching Finding Fellowship with Jason Green Chair of the Commission on Reconciliation and Remembrance in Montgomery County.

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Finding Fellowship
Finding Fellowship captures how the seeds for potential reconciliation were planted in the same fields where slave masters once terrorized. This film shares how one community came together in the wake of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination and offers an example of how communities can lean on their shared heritage to progress.

Aired: 01/21/22

Expires: 01/31/24

Rating: TV-PG

Problems Playing Video? Report a Problem |

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Finding Fellowship Finding Fellowship captures how the seeds for potential reconciliation were planted in the same fields where slave masters once terrorized. This film shares how one community came together in the wake of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination and offers an example of how communities can lean on their shared heritage to progress.

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Day 18-Attend a Montgomery County Racial Equity and Social Justice Committee meeting.

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Day 18-Attend a Montgomery County Racial Equity and Social Justice Committee meeting.

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Created

The Racial Equity and Social Justice Advisory Committee (Committee) was established by the County Council pursuant to Bill 27-19 (which was enacted on November 19, 2019, and became effective on March 2, 2020).

Purpose

The Racial Equity and Social Justice Committee must:

1. Adopt rules and procedures as necessary to perform its functions.

2. Keep a record of its activities and minutes of all meetings, which must be kept on file and open to the public during business hours upon request.

3. Develop and distribute information about racial equity and social justice in the County.

4. Promote educational activities that increase the understanding of racial equity and social justice in the County.

5. Recommend coordinated strategies for reducing racial and social justice inequity in the County.

6. Advise the Council, the Executive, and County agencies about racial equity and social justice in the County, and recommend policies, programs, legislation, or regulations necessary to reduce racial and social justice inequity.

7. Meet periodically with the racial equity and social justice lead for each department and office.

8. Submit an annual report by December 1 of each year to the Executive and Council on the activities of the Committee.

Membership

There are fifteen voting members of the Racial Equity and Social Justice Advisory Committee (RESJAC). The group is comprised of seven government members and eight public members. Government representatives on the committee include: the County Office of Human Rights, a designee of the County Council, an employee of the County Department of Health and Human Services, an employee of the County Department of Correction and Rehabilitation, an officer of the County Police Department, and a designee of the Chair of the County Planning Board. All public members have experience in redressing disparate impacts based on race and social justice issues and reside in Montgomery County.

Members serve three-year terms. Public members are eligible for reimbursement for travel and dependent care for in-person meetings attended and may receive an annual stipend of $2000.00 compensation and reimbursement for expenses incurred in serving.

Committee Values

Internal

Intentionally and consistently pursue a reimagination of our institutions, systems, and structures to work towards an equitable county.

Utilize data and reference community feedback to inform and validate our decision-making.

Practice a shared leadership structure and collective decision-making process that fosters a whole community approach to advance equity.

Build a working knowledge of and support for our individual areas of expertise and lived experiences.

External

Increase public awareness of the RESJAC and our role to guide the implementation of the Racial Equity and Social Justice Act.

Build connections across government and the community at large.

Establish community trust in our expertise and guidance.

Promote community buy-in and participation in shaping policy and informing Montgomery County culture.

Increase the number of county residents who are committed to advancing racial equity and social justice.

Committee Bylaws

RESJ Committee ByLaws Document (pdf)

Committee Members

Meeting Information

Meetings are currently held virtually by video and teleconference the third Wednesday of every month at 6:30 pm. When in-person meetings resume in the future, the Board will meet in Rockville.

Meeting Agendas

Meeting Minutes

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The Racial Equity and Social Justice Advisory Committee (Committee) was established by the County Council pursuant to Bill 27-19 (which was enacted on November 19, 2019, and became effective on March 2, 2020). The Racial Equity and Social Justice Committee must: Adopt rules and procedures as necessary to perform its functions.

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Day 19-Learn about the data for the county and why it is important to know about the disparities in regards to education, income, and health amongst our residents. 

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Day 19-Learn about the data for the county and why it is important to know about the disparities in regards to education, income, and health amongst our residents. 

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The Purpose

The Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice (ORESJ) is a county-wide office focused on advancing racial equity and dismantling structural racism within County Government. The ORESJ was created in December of 2019 by The Racial Equity and Social Justice Act to help reduce and ultimately eliminate racial and other disparities experienced by residents of color across Montgomery County. We do this by supporting County Departments in normalizing conversations on race and other equity issues, organizing staff to work together for transformational change, and operationalizing new practices, policies and procedures that are equity centered.impact plans.

We have been given the charge of facilitating the Racial Equity and Social Justice Committee, training County staff and Equity Leads, and conducting department-wide Equity Assessments to assist every department in creating Racial Equity Action Plans.

The Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice recognizes that it will take transformational shifts within government to truly address disparities experienced by communities of color and low-income communities, and therefore we focus our efforts on building capacity within the government to understand what it takes to advance racial equity within every County Department. We believe that equity is everyone's job, and our office provides training, technical assistance and tools to all of our County Departments and the staff.

Background

"Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced" - James Baldwin

At first glance Montgomery County appears to be a bastion of wealth and opportunity. In fact, until very recently Montgomery County was the richest county in Maryland. Upon closer examination we found revealing disparities in education, housing, transportation, poverty and income.

Data only partially helps us to understand these disparities, as a County government and as a community we need to center the lived experiences of members of communities of color. We must take an honest look at history, systems and institutions to analyze how disproportionality exists across all sectors and issue areas.

We will take a systems approach to our analysis ridding ourselves of the myth that individual people are the problem. We must understand that people are not the problem, it is the systems and institutions (including government), and the policies and practices that they have created, perpetuated and maintained that lead to these outcomes.

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Office of Racial Equity & Social Justice Overview Page

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The Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice (ORESJ) is a county-wide office focused on advancing racial equity and dismantling structural racism within County Government. The ORESJ was created in December of 2019 by The Racial Equity and Social Justice Act to help reduce and ultimately eliminate racial and other disparities experienced by residents of color across Montgomery County.

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Day 20-Explore the meaning behind being an antiracist.

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Day 20-Explore the meaning behind being an antiracist.

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The difference between being "not racist" and antiracist | Ibram X. Kendi

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Day 21 - Clarify the difference between race, ethnicity, and nationality.

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Day 21 - Clarify the difference between race, ethnicity, and nationality.

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Race, Ethnicity, Nationality and Jellybeans