HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/5/2020 Item 3, London
Wilbanks, Megan
From:
3:01 PM
To:Advisory Bodies
Subject:Public Comments
Dear Task Force Members,
I am writing in support of the application submitted by the United Way of San Luis Obispo County. For over 60 years, the
United Way of SLO County has been committed to social justice broadly (with particular emphasis on racial justice, and
dismantling structural inequality) and a more just, equitable and inclusive SLO County. This year, we launched an Equity,
Diversity, and Inclusion Initiative and created a corresponding fund to support this work.
We recognize the need for increased knowledge, awareness and engagement in our community and have increased, and
made more explicit our commitment to serving as a community resource for anyone looking to become more informed
and active in the pursuit of equality – at all levels. Our EDI efforts are led by Dr. Leola Dublin Macmillan, a scholar and
activist who joined our staff in November of 2019. Dr. Macmillan has been actively engaged in social justice work in our
community for more than a decade. She has been recognized by students, community leaders, local organizations, and
Congressman Salud Carbajal for her efforts. Dr. Macmillan has trained more than 3,000 people throughout the Central
Coast on issues connected to Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. We believe her tireless dedication to building and
maintaining the “Beloved Community” right here on the Central Coast is unmatched. United Way of SLO County is lucky
to have her leading our EDI work.
In our 60 + years of serving SLO County, we have always foregrounded our work in social justice. Our funding request is
twofold. We want to provide educational and community building services to everyone without having to charge for our
work – particularly in light of how COVID-19 has impacted our community financially. We also want to disrupt the
practice of asking BIPOC (and Black women in particular) to do this work for free.
We ask that you consider granting our funding request so that we can continue to provide unparalleled work and
programming for all who call SLO County Home.
Thank you,
Rick London, CEO
United Way SLO County
Jeff Hamm, Board of Directors
United Way SLO County
Leola Dublin Macmillan, Ph.D.
Director of Equity and Resource Development / United Way of San Luis Obispo County
PO Box 14309, San Luis Obispo, CA 93406
tel: 805.592-3313/ mobile: 805-242-6857/ fax: 805.543.5317
unitedwayslo.org / facebook.com/unitedwayslo / @uwsloc
GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER. LIVE UNITED.
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