With the Food Bank’s placement of equity, diversity, and inclusion as an all-encompassing value of our strategic plan in 2021, we have been highly motivated to determine ways to support staff and enhance our workplace culture. We embarked on a journey to complete our first-ever internal equity audit, a process that spanned from June to November of 2022. 
The results of this audit have allowed us to better understand staff needs and experiences and make changes that will ensure our EDI values are present in our internal policies, practices, and more. We will be working to implement the recommendations that have resulted from the audit and are excited to see how they positively impact our organizational culture. This process will set the tone for the creation of our equity lens that will be utilized both internally and externally.
We have also had great success this year with EDI building more awareness. Staff completed required training on the connections between racial equity and our mission, recognizing and addressing microaggressions in the workplace, and gender inclusivity at our EDI-focused Fall 2022 Staff Day. Members of our Culture Impact Committee hosted a Town Hall honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and connecting his commitment to social justice to our own mission and vision. Staff across the organization participated in Raleigh’s 2022 Pride event to provide support and build connections with members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Finally, our Board of Directors participated in an EDI training during their April 2022 retreat to deepen their understanding of their
role in promoting equity at the board level and within the community.
It has been a busy and productive year and we are energized as we continue to center EDI in our approaches to achieve our mission.
