What We Do

We work to serve state agencies and community members. The goal of our office is to enact systems change throughout state government.

Washington State Office of Equity Logo
an illustration of racially diverse crowd. There are people of various ages, races, and ethnicities all looking towards the right
A group of people sit in a boardroom.

Serving Agencies

We work with agencies to establish PEAR teams and relational partnerships. These two factors go hand in hand to lay the foundation for transformational change. By supporting them with strategies, tools, techniques, and resources, we help them develop their own approaches that are rooted inside their agency. When applied properly, this can help aid in work culture shifts that cause significant positive outcomes for those they serve. Over time, these procedures become normalized and reinforce themselves based on the positive impacts they create.

Parent bakes cookies for her child.

Serving Community

Our state government work is grounded in public service to Washingtonians. Understanding the need to center those we serve in our overall strategy allows us the opportunity to align our actions appropriately. This awareness creates an anchor for our work that should always be guided by the experiences people in Washington have through their interactions with us. Exemplifying this for other agencies is key to how we apply the model of PEAR and belonging. Although much of our work is agency based, we know that we are working to change policies, practices, and procedures for the benefit of Washingtonians. This is why we identify as an entity who also serves community.

Silhouettes of people walking and standing.

How We Are Different

 Foundationally, we acknowledge that state government hasn’t always worked well for many people. While government services have benefited some families, there are also practices, policies, procedures, and people that have been detrimental to those from the global majority. We are upfront about that understanding, and we take it into account for all the work we do. This is why our infrastructure is based in pro-equity anti-racism, PEAR. We must uproot these harmful ideals from the ways we do business and serve Washingtonians. We are different because we work diligently to hold ourselves accountable. We are different because we are bold in our transparency. We are different because we take responsibility even when it may be uncomfortable. 

We are different because we welcome difficult discussions, knowing we can learn and grow from them. We are different because work to uproot our own unconscious bias and internalized racial oppression. We are different because we make commitments toward racial equity and measure ourselves overtly. We are different because we won’t settle for less than a government that works for all Washingtonians. And we are different because we model this and offer the opportunity for all to work alongside us. Join us and be different too!

Serving Agencies

A group of people sit in a boardroom.
A group of people sit in a boardroom.

Serving Agencies

We work with agencies to establish PEAR teams and relational partnerships. These two factors go hand in hand to lay the foundation for transformational change. By supporting them with strategies, tools, techniques, and resources, we help them develop their own approaches that are rooted inside their agency. When applied properly, this can help aid in work culture shifts that cause significant positive outcomes for those they serve. Over time, these procedures become normalized and reinforce themselves based on the positive impacts they create.

Serving Community

Parent bakes cookies for her child.
Parent bakes cookies for her child.

Serving Community

Our state government work is grounded in public service to Washingtonians. Understanding the need to center those we serve in our overall strategy allows us the opportunity to align our actions appropriately. This awareness creates an anchor for our work that should always be guided by the experiences people in Washington have through their interactions with us. Exemplifying this for other agencies is key to how we apply the model of PEAR and belonging. Although much of our work is agency based, we know that we are working to change policies, practices, and procedures for the benefit of Washingtonians. This is why we identify as an entity who also serves community.

How We Are Different

Silhouettes of people walking and standing.
Silhouettes of people walking and standing.

How We Are Different

 Foundationally, we acknowledge that state government hasn’t always worked well for many people. While government services have benefited some families, there are also practices, policies, procedures, and people that have been detrimental to those from the global majority. We are upfront about that understanding, and we take it into account for all the work we do. This is why our infrastructure is based in pro-equity anti-racism, PEAR. We must uproot these harmful ideals from the ways we do business and serve Washingtonians. We are different because we work diligently to hold ourselves accountable. We are different because we are bold in our transparency. We are different because we take responsibility even when it may be uncomfortable. 

We are different because we welcome difficult discussions, knowing we can learn and grow from them. We are different because work to uproot our own unconscious bias and internalized racial oppression. We are different because we make commitments toward racial equity and measure ourselves overtly. We are different because we won’t settle for less than a government that works for all Washingtonians. And we are different because we model this and offer the opportunity for all to work alongside us. Join us and be different too!