Welcome to the Equity Now Coalition (ENC). At the onset of the COVID pandemic, Columbus Urban League President & CEO, Stephanie Hightower, paired up with Christie Angel, then President & CEO of the Central Ohio YWCA, and convened a coalition of Black community leaders to discuss the adverse impact COVID-19 was going to have on the Black community as well as how COVID would exasperate the already existing disparities in health, wealth, and education. Over 60 participants began meeting weekly to share time-sensitive and dynamic information to leverage their collective efforts in meeting the immediate needs of the pandemic. ENC was successful in addressing several community-wide issues of equity and increasing the distribution of Payroll Protection Plan loans to Black-owned and operated entities.

It was not long before meeting participants also committed to create a long-term strategy to redress structural racism to achieve systemically equitable and measurable outcomes for Black people in Central Ohio. Over the past three years, the conversation has continued and evolved beyond COVID-19 relief into highlighting innovative, effective solutions that work to achieve racial equity and grow an inclusive economy in Central Ohio.

Today, ENC is a convening and engaging 501(c)3 nonprofit coalition of over 75 diverse Black leaders to collaborate and collectively advocate for changes necessary to improve the quality of life for Black people and the community at large. ENC meetings have helped our community identify emerging voices of leadership and created space for them to exchange and interact with the existing leaders of Black Columbus around issues that are relevant and rooted in today’s community needs.

The confluence of the COVID-19 global pandemic, persistent structural racism, and unrelenting wave of discriminatory police violence on racialized Black and Brown individuals reignited an unprecedented Human Rights Movement. The ENC stands as a crucial convener in fostering sustained, Black-led social transformation, tackling the roots of racist policies and biased investment practices through the comprehensive analysis of underlying causes. Our goal is to drive enduring change, creating a society that confronts its historical inequities and champions a fairer, more just future.

In 2024, ENC will presenting qualitative and quantitative data to advocate for and champion policies and practices to create more equitable outcomes for Black people. This information will be used to influence policy and investment practice changes to achieve equitable outcomes across the five Social Determinants of Health.

If you identify as Black or African American in Central Ohio, we invite you to join us in this transformative journey as we work together to redefine possibilities, amplify voices, and contribute to building a more equitable community to work, play, and raise a family.