In 2020, the YWCA began work on the creation of the Lorain County Racial Equity Center (LCREC). The Lorain County Racial Equity Center is a “rebranding” of the YWCA of Elyria to greater represent to the community the work we have historically done in the fulfillment of our mission ‐ the elimination of racism and empowerment of women. The document contained herein, Lorain County Racial Equity Agenda, will be the foundational piece of the Lorain County Racial Equity Center and the expected subsequent work.

In the aftermath of the racial unrest spurred by the murder of George Floyd, the YWCA was instrumental in getting resolutions declaring racism as a public health crisis passed by the cities of Elyria, Lorain, Oberlin, and the Lorain County Commissioners. The YWCA further pledged to work with each entity to ensure that their declarations would not be mere words, but rather the necessary first response to dismantling systemic racism in Lorain County. The Lorain County Racial Equity Center and the Lorain County Racial Equity Agenda are the first steps in the realization of that pledge.

Building on the success of the YWCA 21 Day Racial Equity Challenge, the Racial Equity Institute’s Groundwater Training, and the work of the Anti‐Hate Taskforce, it was clear that the community was eager to bring a coalition together around a suggested framework like the Toledo Black Agenda through a Lorain County lens; and utilizing information gleaned from the Equity Audit generated by the Nord Family Foundation and the Center for Community Solutions.

The LCREC Working Group donated 12 months of dedication to this project: Cindy Andrews, Ryan Aroney, Tania Boster, Jack Bradley, Dave Covell, Denise Douglas, Tony Gallo, A. G. Miller, Patricia O’Brien, Fallon Petersen, Cecelia Render, and Catherine Woskobnick. Each led sub‐committees comprised of even more community stakeholders that identified and quantified the social determinants of health.

We will share these findings widely and re‐evaluate them on a regular basis. If there is an additional “pillar” to be added or if you would like to join us on this journey, reach out to any of the members listed.

We are very much aware of the magnitude of the problem of racism in America and the challenges ahead for the Lorain County Racial Equity Center. However, to quote James Baldwin, “Not everything that is faced can be changed but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”