PYP Seattle’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (DEI&B) Initiatives

Pitch Your Peers Seattle believes in racial equity and will strive to be anti-racist allies in all that we do. We are committed to examining all facets of PYP Seattle through a racial equity lens and to learning and evolving as an organization in the process.

The events of 2020 brought needed attention to racial justice and equity in the United States and allowed Pitch Your Peers Seattle an opportunity for deep reflection. We created a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging Committee open to all members in August 2020 to explore diversity as it pertains to both our membership and the organizations we support. PYP Seattle will continuously work to acknowledge, examine and address any conscious or unconscious biases present in our organization. We will also teach and encourage our members to apply a racial equity lens when vetting organizations during the grant-making process. Most importantly, we will work to expand our membership to ensure that PYP Seattle represents the vast diversity of King County and the breadth of communities that we aim to serve. By enriching the range of perspectives, experiences and cultures that comprises our membership, PYP Seattle will, in turn, be better positioned to create maximum impact on each individual member, the organizations we support, and our community at large.

Our Membership Diversity Commitment (2024)

Our Ongoing Membership Diversity Commitment

At PYP Seattle, we remain steadfast in our commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse community. Our mission is to create a space where every voice is heard, valued, and respected. As we continue to grow, we recognize the importance of reflecting the rich tapestry of King County in our membership. We will strive to be anti-racist in all aspects of PYP, from membership registration through the grant cycle and the end of year Grant Celebration. We began our quest to diversify our membership with a three-year commitment that ran from 2021 through 2023.  And now in 2024, we’ve renewed our commitment, as follows:

Representing the Diversity of King County

We understand that true diversity encompasses a wide range of identities, experiences, and perspectives. To honor this, we actively seek to expand our membership in a way that mirrors the vibrant diversity of our local community. Our commitment extends beyond mere numbers; it is about creating an environment where everyone feels seen, heard, and empowered. By increasing the diversity of our membership, we also aim to connect with the breadth of nonprofit organizations that are part of King county, and that serve many diverse populations. This way, we can foster greater collaboration, learning, and impact across our region.

Striving for LGBTQIA+ Representation

As part of our renewed commitment, we will focus on recruiting LGBTQIA+ women to join our ranks. Their unique perspectives and contributions enrich our organization and strengthen our collective impact. By actively seeking out and welcoming LGBTQIA+ individuals, we aim to create a more inclusive and supportive space for all.

Supporting Women of Diverse Backgrounds and Experiences 

We also recognize the importance of uplifting historically underrepresented women within our community. We will actively engage with and recruit women from diverse backgrounds, ensuring that their voices are at the forefront of our decision-making processes. By doing so, we honor the intersectionality of identities and work toward a more equitable future.

Replacing Departing Members

As we move forward, we acknowledge that some members may not be returning for the next grant cycle. In their absence, we commit to filling those vacancies with passionate and dedicated individuals who share our vision. We will actively seek out women who bring fresh perspectives, experiences, and expertise to our organization. Priority will be given to LGBTQIA + members, followed by women from historically underrepresented communities. 

Conclusion

PYP Seattle DEI&B Committee

We created a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (DEI&B) Committee open to all members in 2020 to explore diversity as it pertains to both our membership and the organizations we support.  Goals included:

1. Reflect on our own privilege, examine our own racism and biases, and identify racial inequalities and disparities as well as institutionalized and systemic racism in our organization, the King County community, and society at large. Learn and practice being anti-racists and allies to people of color
2. Ensure that DEI&B principles are embedded in PYP Seattle’s procedures and that PYP Seattle is inclusive and equitable in our grant-making practices and outcomes
3. Work to diversify our membership and help to foster an inclusive culture so that all members (and potential members) feel welcome
4. Share learnings, opportunities to engage, and resources with other PYP Seattle members 

We Dedicated our 2020 Grant Cycle and Granted $200,000 to Nonprofits That Promote Racial Equity

In 2020, we made the bold decision to dedicate our entire grant cycle to local nonprofits whose services are targeted toward promoting equity for people of color and who have diverse leadership that is representative of the people they serve.  We ended up with a fantastic lineup of racial equity nonprofits to be pitched to the members: The Seattle Clemency Project (SCP), Technology Access Foundation (TAF), and Mentoring Urban Students & Teens (M.U.S.T.).  Our members, their families, and the local community expressed their support for this lineup by contributing additional donations to bring our grant pool to $200,000.

PYP Seattle Grant Champions Amy Lee, Mina Velamoor, and Linda Floyd delivered their pitch for TAF virtually at PYP Seattle’s 4^th Annual Pitch Night in October 2020.