Equitable Policymaking in Rural Communities

What policies and practices are states and localities implementing to advance racial, economic, and health equity for people living in rural communities?

What strategies are needed to ensure that BIPOC and other rural communities that experience marginalization are engaged in every step of the policymaking process?

Watch our webinar to learn about innovative policy strategies and solutions at local, regional, and state levels that have the power to create opportunity and health equity in rural communities. Our speakers discuss how to promote economic development, strengthen the workforce, build the power of partnerships, and foster collaboration and alignment across all levels of government.

This 75-minute webinar is for anyone who wants to advance equity and opportunity in rural communities — including staff in government agencies; state and local policymakers; and community advocates.

Speakers

• Shauneequa Owusu, chief strategy officer, ChangeLab Solutions (moderator)
• Trisha Purdon, director, Office of Rural Prosperity, Kansas Department of Commerce
• Corey Wiggins, federal co-chairman, Delta Regional Authority
• Rachel Mayes, executive director, Southern Echo, Inc.

Highlights

Addressing discrimination. Historical and ongoing discrimination based on place, race, and class is the foundation of rural inequities and needs to be addressed at both local and systems levels. ―Shauneequa Owusu

Equity. When we hear the word equity by itself, we can forget that it’s a process — a process of connection, of inclusion, of acknowledging and responding to power dynamics, and yes, sometimes it requires giving power away. ―Corey Wiggins

When we hear the word equity by itself, we can forget that it’s a process — a process of connection, of inclusion, of acknowledging and responding to power dynamics, and yes, sometimes it requires giving power away. ―Corey Wiggins

Community power. Our focus is on community organizing to empower community members with the tools and skills to impact the policymaking process so that they become the architects of public policy and not the objects of it. ―Rachel Mayes

Prospering communities. We hear that rural regions are dying — that they don't have opportunities to turn things around and help people prosper. This isn't true at all. Many rural communities have revitalized their economies, grown their arts centers, and are attracting new residents. ―Trisha Purdon

We hear that rural regions are dying — that they don't have opportunities to turn things around and help people prosper. This isn't true at all. Many rural communities have revitalized their economies, grown their arts centers, and are attracting new residents. ―Trisha Purdon

Asset-based framing. There’s a misperception that rural communities don’t want progressive change. We need to lift up rural voices and collaborate with communities from an asset-based frame rather than characterize communities by their unique challenges. ―Rachel Mayes

Webinar Recording

This webinar is part of our 2023 series Equity in Action: Policymaking for Community Health. Listen to the recording:

Resources

• Aspen Institute, Thrive Rural Framework
• Center on Rural Innovation, The Rural Aperture Project
• ChangeLab Solutions, Toward Racial Equity and Rural Prosperity: Legal & Policy Resources for Rural Communities
• Delta Regional Authority
• Kansas Department of Commerce, Office of Rural Prosperity
• Southern Echo