Blog Series: Grounded in Our Values: Belonging and Difference - Part 1
This blog kicks off a series exploring SiX’s updated values to reflect who we are and how we work. After a thoughtful and collaborative process led by SiX’s operations team, we’re proud to share this updated articulation of our core values. This process was a demonstration of those values in action, shaped by the ideas and feedback of our staff. We know we each play a role in upholding these commitments—not only in our policies and programs but in the America we’re building together.
As the Trump administration attempts to undermine our country's progress on diversity, equity, inclusion, and access to opportunities through a series of executive orders, SiX knows that diversity, equity, and inclusion are core to our work and we reaffirm our commitment to belonging and difference.
We are committed to upholding the inherent value of all people across identities, experiences, and perspectives. We actively work against systems of oppression that harm the communities we are a part of and collaborate with, striving to build a world where equity and justice are the norm. We are intentional in addressing racism and continuously learning to shift behaviors, beliefs, and policies that reinforce injustice.
Belonging and Difference in Action at SiX
Black Maternal Health Week
SiX is committed to advancing Black maternal health all year and celebrates Black Maternal Health Week, April 11-17. Even under a federal administration committed to removing DEI and targeting communities of color, state legislators across the country are committed to addressing maternal mortality rates among Black birthing people.
SiX is calling on legislators for quotes stating why addressing Black Maternal Health is a priority. Similar to previous years, legislators will be able to share their graphics on various social media platforms during the week of action. Legislators, if you are interested, submit a 40-50 word quote and a high-quality headshot by Friday, March 14th at 5:00 PM ET using this form.
Black Farmers Equity Working Group
SiX honors the contributions and resilience of Black communities across the country in building a sustainable and equitable food and agriculture system for all. Despite the hostile, anti-DEI landscape created by the Trump administration, communities and farmers continue to fight for greater equity in our food and agriculture system.
SiX actively contributes to this fight by organizing a Black Farmer Equity Working Group with state legislators. Legislators use this space to discuss their Black farmer equity work and how they are approaching it differently in this anti-DEI moment. To help legislators meet this moment and continue supporting Black and brown farmers in their communities, check out our Legislator Resource on Celebrating and Supporting Black Farmers with updated talking points, trends, and state policies.
Paid Family Medical Leave Legislator Cohort
Care work affects everyone — from childcare and elder care to healthcare and paid leave — but it’s often undervalued. Big corporations and private equity firms are taking control of the care industry, putting profits before the needs of care workers and the people receiving care. This leaves many caregivers overworked, underpaid, and unable to care for their own families. Women, immigrant workers, and Black workers represent large sectors of this essential but undervalued workforce. But across the country, caregivers and state leaders are fighting back, working to make care a public good, not a product for profit. They’re pushing for things like paid family leave, affordable childcare, and better jobs for care workers. To help this effort, SiX, A Better Balance, and New America started a Paid Family Medical Leave Legislator group in 2022. It includes 16 lawmakers from seven states who meet each month to share ideas, plan strategies, and find ways to create strong, fair policies that support care workers and families. To learn more, click here.