Meet the Whitfields, longtime residents of Kirkland, and daring change-makers in pursuit of justice. Through their work, they strive to foster belonging within the community and create lasting systemic change.

In this 2021 TEDxSeattle talk, James Whitfield shares his passion for diversity, inclusion, and the power of discussing complicated issues and relationships. He goes on to pave the way for a more unified world. James explains how the decision to nurture unity, to recognize we do not have to be uniform to be unified, is in our own shared interests to forge a mutually beneficial future. In his talk, James discusses how to successfully pursue unity by focusing on equity in different aspects of our lives and why having those uncomfortable conversations are critical to our growth and healing.

The goal of Beloved Community is an end state that requires all of us to be loving and bonded and in righteous or right relationship with one another. Taking down white oppression clearly is an important thing. But however we do that work has to take into account ‘how do we do that in a way that ultimately ends up with Beloved Community as an end state?’

We must invite people to bravely share perspectives that may conflict with others in the room while ensuring that everyone has the safety required for learning. We must provoke uncomfortable growth spurts while building new muscle to sustain that growth into maturity.

Defining racism as hate-filled individuals and reducing the battle to overcome racism to love vs. hate, is not enough. We must also address the rules that create negative outcomes for Communities of Color compared to their White counterparts.

None of us can conquer systemic racism or transform our industry alone. In fact, we will only succeed if we plan, measure, learn, and grow together.

Conflict, done well, is an entirely different exercise. We first acknowledge that we both have different perspectives on a matter. … The goal is to openly and honestly seek to understand the differences of perspective

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. put it this way, “The goal is not victory. It’s justice and reconciliation.” If you wish to see a culture where people build success upon justice and reconciliation, then be loving and be loved.

Underlying those questions is another equally relevant question - whose equity does the organization value?

From a systems perspective, equity is ownership.