“We need to develop a shared understanding of what equity means and how we can advance our work through equity.” That’s what one Budget Matters Summit audience member tweeted when the audience was asked to share on social media how they will continue to work to advance racial equity. And it is just one of many powerful thoughts we’ve heard about the topic of racial equity since we held our summit on December 9. 

We were honored to host this event that focused on how to advance equity in our state policies and budget as well as within our organizations, schools, communities, and more. Our 4th Annual Budget Matters event brought together more than 300 activists, legislators, decision makers, students, and concerned citizens from around the Pacific Northwest. 

This year’s event featured keynote speaker Patrisse Cullors of #BlackLivesMatter (pictured at left), and her opening presenter, Janaya “Future” Khan of #BlackLivesMatter Toronto. It also featured a panel of inspirational community leaders as well staff and a board member from the Budget & Policy Center. 

Now, we’re pleased to share this video that offers a snapshot of the summit’s highlights.  

And at the request of many summit attendees, we have created this video of the full panel presentation. It features the insights and wisdom of leaders from Black Out WA, Children’s Alliance, Washington Community Action Network, Washington Environmental Council, Washington State Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs, and the Budget & Policy Center! If you were unable to attend, it is well worth your time. And if you were there, it’s worth re-watching. No matter what, please share this far and wide. (The accompanying PowerPoint slideshow is here.) 

In addition, here are some of the photos from the event. And below are a couple of the materials referenced during the summit: 

• Creating an Equitable Future in Washington State: Black Well-Being & Beyond 2015: Co-authored by the Budget & Policy Center and Imago LLC; co-produced by The African American Leadership Forum – Seattle, Centerstone, and the Washington State Commission on African American Affairs 
• Facing Race 2015: Co-produced by the Budget & Policy Center and Washington Community Action Network 

Thank you again to everyone who was able to attend the summit…and to all those of you who made #BudgetMatters2015 a trending topic in Seattle on Twitter that day! We know our summit was part of an ongoing dialogue in our country on the topics of racial equity and Black liberation. And we know there are many more conversations to be had about how we must keep working together to demand racial justice. The progress of Washington’s children, families, individuals, and communities depends upon it.

We also want to give one final shout-out to the summit sponsors, without whom the event wouldn’t have been possible: