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Partnering for Equity: San Bernardino — Ecosystems and Equity: Centering Community in Health and Development
June 26 - June 27
$500
Community-driven approaches to complex change — whether for health equity or inclusive economies — require an ecosystem approach to addressing systemic barriers, leveraging opportunities, and supporting innovation.
As funders, how do we partner with community stakeholders to arrive at a shared understanding of the nuances and priority strategies? And how can we collectively support the elements of an inclusive ecosystem?
To engage these questions, the Inland Empire Funders Alliance invites you to join us for the second in our Partnering for Equity San Bernardino County learning series on Ecosystems and Equity: Centering Community in Health and Development.
Ecosystems and Equity
This two-day program will offer an immersive co-learning experience for grantmaking staff and trustees to understand the operating conditions and real stories on the ground in disinvested communities — and explore the opportunities to partner for health and inclusive economies through increased strategic investment in regenerative alternatives.
By grounding our exploration of issues affecting health and economic development in the local context of the Morongo Basin and the City of San Bernardino, these communities will serve as a window into broader countywide and regional concerns and initiatives.
Featured Speakers
- Dr. Michael Sequiera, Public Health Officer for San Bernardino County
- George Lamb, President/CEO of the Faith Advisory Council for Community Transformation (FACCT)
- Cindy Schmall, CEO of Morongo Basin Healthcare District
- Sheheryar Kaaosji, Executive Director of Warehouse Worker Resource Center
- Andrea Vidaurre, Co-Founder of People’s Collective for Environmental Justice
- Leaders from Riverside San Bernardino County Indian Health, Youth Action Project, Just SB, and numerous other direct service and power-building organizations
What you will receive
Over the course of this two-day overnight learning visit, you will have the opportunity to:
- Foster meaningful relationships with community leaders, cultural workers, and experts who are working and advocating for constructive change on these topics.
- Deepen your understanding your role as a funder or public leader, building trust and empathy to shift power relationships and activate more equitable philanthropic practices.
- Learn about your peers’ funding priorities and activities, enabling you to better coordinate your grantmaking for deeper and broader impact.
- Reduce the burden on community partners by participating in a shared learning experience alongside other funders.
Day 1: Community-Centered Health Systems
This immersive learning tour will begin by highlighting public health approaches to improving health conditions outside the doctor’s office while also understanding the unique needs and circumstances of Native and Black communities.
Together we will:
- Explore the history and context of the rural communities of the Morongo Basin, an often overlooked and underfunded subregion of San Bernardino County and the Inland Empire.
- Look back on San Bernardino County’s role leading the way nationally in its declaration of racism as a public health crisis and take stock of where we are now. We will hear from County leaders and the non-profit partners who championed the original resolution on how they are implementing strategies to address systemic racial inequities that shape health outcomes.
- Look ahead toward collective action rooted in community-driven approaches in the most impacted communities, and the critical role of partnerships among community-based organizations, the Department of Public Health, and private philanthropy.
- Address the importance of holistic health and wellness, recognizing that traditional health care alone cannot address the impacts of a health care system rooted in racism and white supremacy.
- Spotlight health and racial justice, including the unique needs and opportunities for investment in Black birth justice and Native American health services.
Day 2: Igniting Change for Inclusive Economies
Join local leaders, organizers, and strategists building the power of people and institutions who are collaborating and developing innovative approaches to create more inclusive local community and economic development strategies in San Bernardino County. We will learn about collaborative work in the region that advances a common vision: creating sustainable, equitable and healthy communities in San Bernardino County.
The Inland Empire has one of California’s fastest growing economies and has been referred to as a “region on the rise.” However, recent job growth has been concentrated in lower-paying jobs such as those fueled by the warehouse and logistics industry, which bring further harm to the health of lower-income and BIPOC communities where they are located. At the same time, these challenges have also created opportunities to reimagine more regenerative alternatives with community leaders working to uproot extractive systems and advance collective power.
We will learn how:
- Community-based organizations are building power to hold warehouses and new developments accountable to better labor standards and environmental practices.
- Coalitions are fighting for a just transition uniting environmental and economic justice by advocating for community benefits agreements and promoting green jobs.
- Cross-sector collaborations are fostering community and economic development that is more environmentally sustainable and generates good quality jobs accessible to the diverse residents of the Inland Empire.
Together, we will engage with local local leaders who are collaborating and developing innovative approaches to create more inclusive local community and economic development where all residents can thrive.
Event Sponsors
We are grateful to The California Endowment for providing major funding for this learning series, as well as to our other sponsors who have joined in support.
Day Sponsor
Supporting Sponsors
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About the Inland Empire
Southern California’s Inland Empire (San Bernardino and Riverside counties) comprises one of the fastest-growing population centers in the United States. Located 40 miles east of Los Angeles, the IE is rich in diversity, culture, history and economic opportunity. It is also home to innovative, resourceful, mission-driven nonprofit organizations working in partnership to transform lives, communities and the region as a whole. San Bernardino County is home to a dynamic and growing population of 2.2 million people, serving as a microcosm and a bellwether for the future of California.