Field Reports
Start Where You Are: Tools For Assessing Racial Equity and Powering Change
Leslie Rios,
Emerson Fellow
Published 2020-2021
Houston, Texas
As food insecurity numbers increase due to COVID-19, the Houston Food Bank (HFB) has become a necessity for many families across southeast Texas. HFB has had to distribute an overwhelming demand of food to community partners. Additionally, they have remained committed to working to address root causes of hunger and understand how HFB can lead through a racial equity lens. This report will focus on how the Houston Food Bank adapted the Organizational Assessment, developed by JustLead Washington, to understand the awareness and commitment of HFB’s current race equity work and will offer insights into how other organizations can too.
Download "Start Where You Are: Tools For Assessing Racial Equity and Powering Change"
Publication tags: Field Reports
Born in Wisconsin and raised in Hidalgo, Texas, Leslie graduated from St. Edward’s University with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a minor in Economics, becoming a Presidential Award Receipt and a McNair Scholar in the process. Leslie first became interested in food justice when she took a course surrounding where our food comes from, and through the course, traveled to Costa Rica to learn about organic farming and unfair farm-worker practices. During her time at St. Edward’s, Leslie also served as Student Government President and interned at the Texas Capitol during the 86th Legislative Session as a policy aide, where she became interested in creating equitable policy change. Leslie has also participated in three service break experiences in the U.S and abroad, which reaffirmed her passion for social justice and quickly became interested in issues revolving around poverty.
Read more about Leslie Rios
