Whatcom Racial Equity Commission

Purpose

As a conduit for ongoing community collaboration, engagement, and education, within the broader context of diversity and inclusion, the purpose of the WREC is to gather, review, and evaluate data and to make recommendations on eliminating racial inequities, in all its forms, throughout Whatcom County. The vision of the WREC is that all races in Whatcom County live, thrive, and belong for who they are, as they are, without fear, every day.

For information on meetings, agendas, minutes, and Commission membership, please visit the Commission's webpage (hosted by the Chuckanut Health Foundation).

Commission Strategy & Goals

Whatcom County recognizes the community-wide costs and impacts associated with racial inequity and disparities, including negative health care outcomes, increased health care costs, reduced economic opportunity, increased government services costs, poor education outcomes, crime, and housing insecurity.

To this end, Whatcom County - in coordination with numerous community partners and the City of Bellingham - established the Whatcom Racial Equity Commission (WREC) in October 2022. The Commission was formed through Whatcom County Council Ordinance 2022-065 and through the addition of Chapter 2.107 to the Whatcom County code. Subsequently, the City of Bellingham and Whatcom County executed an interlocal agreement (Whatcom County contract 202210012) which provides for joint governance, operational oversight, and funding to support the Commission. 

Whatcom County has contracted with Chuckanut Health Foundation to provide initial support for the launch of the WREC and ongoing administrative services in support of the Commission. 

Additionally, the County has seated the Appointment Committee described in WCC 2.107.070. Appointment Committee members include: Dr. Vernon Damani Johnson, Dr. Francisco Rios, Eliana Steele, Dr. Pamela Wheeler, Guava Jordan, and Lee Langdon.

A timeline and list of next steps is included below:

This project will be co-managed by Whatcom County and the City of Bellingham, with Whatcom County serving as lead agency.

Membership

Whatcom County and City of Bellingham are now seeking the inaugural slate of members for the Whatcom Racial Equity Commission, with the support of Chuckanut Health Foundation and the guidance of community members serving on the WREC Appointment Committee.  The Whatcom Racial Equity Commission, when seated, will serve as a county-level advisory body providing recommendations on advancing racial equity locally.

If you are a dedicated and driven individual looking to make a significant impact on advancing racial equity at the local level, we invite you to apply for an open position on the Whatcom Racial Equity Commission.

Please find more information and the application at: https://www.chuckanuthealthfoundation.org/wrec-member-application.   

Authority

Ordinance 2022-065
WCC Chapter 2.107

Related Documents and Links

Interlocal Agreement County-City