Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The USBC places a premium on meaningful opportunities for all voices to be heard. A commitment to diversity and equity infuses our work and decision-making. The USBC believes centering racial equity helps us to maximize our impact in this critical work to build a "landscape of breastfeeding support."
Equity work with meaning and impact begins with a personal learning journey. The information and resources on this page can assist individuals and groups on their own equity journeys.
- USBC Definition of Equity
- USBC Diversity Values Statement
- USBC CRASH Committee and Transformation Teams
- Racial Equity Webinar Series
- Racial Equity Learning Community
- Resources for Enhancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Your Own Work
USBC Definition of Equity
Our working definition of equity is compiled from the examples of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Center for Social Inclusion, Collective Impact literature, and others. It views equity as three interwoven components: a lens, a mirror, and an outcome.
- It is a lens through which we view the world to inform and guide the design of our strategies and activities to build a "landscape of breastfeeding support."
- It is also a mirror through which we view ourselves and our organizations, examining our internal structures, culture, and policies and their impact on how the lens is applied and the outcome achieved.
- Lastly, it is the outcome we seek to achieve, i.e., equity is realized when life outcomes are equal, in a statistical sense, regardless of one’s identities.
Equity work can take the form of actions designed to address historic burdens as well as to remove present-day barriers to equal opportunities. It can be accomplished by identifying and eliminating systemic discriminatory policies and practices, but also by transforming structures towards access, justice, self-determination, redistribution, and sharing of power and resources. Above all, it requires an inclusive approach that maximizes the engagement of the communities impacted. The equity journey is a constant work in progress, and as such our definition will continue to evolve as we learn and grow.
USBC Diversity Values Statement
The United States Breastfeeding Committee (USBC) commits to inclusion, diversity, and equity as core values, embracing meaningful participation by diverse stakeholders, and actively soliciting varied viewpoints. We deconstruct all barriers to full participation in the USBC on the basis of identity.
Our definition of diversity includes diversity by position, gender, race, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, family status, gender identity, formal education, life experience, religion, communication styles, geographic location, and work-related skill sets and experience. We ground our work in inclusion, diversity, and equity to facilitate the achievement of our mission and vision.
Leading by example, as the national coalition empowered to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding in the United States, we model inclusion, diversity, and equity for member organizations, breastfeeding coalitions, and all populations we serve.
(original approved 11/3/2011; revision approved 8/6/2015; modifications approved 3/27/2020)
USBC CRASH Committee & Transformation Teams
In August 2013, the USBC Board of Directors formed the CRASH Committee to enhance USBC governance, membership, personnel, and coalitions' ability to build structures, systems, and a culture of inclusiveness and mutual support for all peoples. The committee's name comes from the name of a cultural competency training program for medical professionals. "CRASH" is a mnemonic for the following essential components of culturally competent health care: consider Culture, show Respect, Assess/Affirm differences, show Sensitivity and Self-awareness, and do it all with Humility.
The CRASH Committee has developed a set of recommendations for the USBC in each of its four areas and is serving as the driver of cultural change within the organization by forging a national-level dialogue with an emphasis towards action on diversity, equity, and inclusion. It is working in Transformation Teams to prioritize and implement policy and structural changes in each of its four domains: governance/leadership, membership, staff/personnel, and coalitions.
Racial Equity Webinar Series
This webinar series was hosted by the USBC as part of its efforts to "create and model a culture of inclusion, diversity & equity" (USBC Strategic Framework Goal 4). With funding support from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, this series focused on building the capacity of the breastfeeding field to apply both an "equity lens" to inform and guide our external strategies and activities, but also an "equity mirror" to examine our internal structures, culture, and policies. View past webinar sessions.
Racial Equity Learning Community
The USBC has been funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to host this community as part of an inclusive learning and transformation process for the "First Food" field. The community will build the capacity of the breastfeeding field to apply both an "equity lens" to inform and guide our external strategies and activities, but also an "equity mirror" to examine our internal structures, culture, and policies.
Join the Racial Equity Online Learning Community
Racial Equity Resources
Monthly Observances Resources:
- Black History Month (February)
- National Arab American Heritage Month (April)
- Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (May)
- Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15)
Recommended Reading:
Starting Out
- Scaffolded Anti-Racist Resources (multi-level)
- Learning about our racism
- Race Versus Class
- Why Start Racial Equity Work, and What Are Its Implications?
- Racial Equity Tools website
Next Steps
- Race, Power, and Policy: Dismantling Structural Racism
- Racial Equity Impact Assessments: An Overview
- White Dominant Culture
Delving Deeper
- Anatomy of Change: How Inclusive Cultures Evolve
- Diversity in Action Toolkit
- Structural Racism and Multiracial Coalition Building
- Thinking Change: Race, Framing and the Public Conversation on Diversity
- Training for Racial Equity and Inclusion: A Guide to Selected Programs
- Organizational Change Processes
Gender and Sexuality Equity Resources
USBC Resources
Personal Gender Pronouns
Adapted from:
- University of Milwaukee LGBT Resource Center: "Gender Pronouns" webpage
- Central Connecticut State University LGBT Center resource "Preferred Gender Pronouns: For Faculty (Or, How to Take Important Steps in Becoming a Trans Ally!)"
LGBTQ & Pride Month Resources
2019 NBCC Highlight:
- Supporting All Families During Lactation Presented by Stephanie Carroll, Appalachian Breastfeeding Network
Recommended Reading:
Transgender and Non-Binary Parents
Tips for Allies of Transgender People