CREED

Coalition for Racial & Ethnic Equity in Development
Equal Space for Every Creed & Race

Indira Ahluwalia, CREED Founder/Chair

The Coalition for Racial & Ethnic Equity in Development (CREED) is a collective of global development organizations based in the United States committed to building racial and ethnic equity (REE).

We pledge to advance racial and ethnic diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within our own organizations’ policies, systems, and culture in keeping with attainable and measurable goals; and work to instill REE in international development.

Accomplishing our vision for REE requires that we build awareness of systemic racism, institutional discrimination, western white centeredness and white privilege in the international development and humanitarian assistance industry. Our objectives are to:

  • build commitment and accountability for REE within our own organizations' policies, systems, and culture starting initially with our U.S.-based workplaces;
  • create a learning community (Learning Hub) to share approaches and lessons learned, celebrate achievements, and support mutual accountability; and
  • work to instill REE as a core principle in the sector.

We are dedicated to building our learning by sharing our experiences, and supporting one another in this journey. Our Learning Hub provides one such platform.

The Pledge

For Racial & Ethnic Equity

The Pledge for Racial and Ethnic Equity (REE), as developed by CREED, aims to create practical and quantifiable standards for advancing REE in our own organizations, and strengthen REE in the international development and humanitarian assistance sector, to build greater organizational effectiveness and a more equitable world for all.

The pledge encompasses the following five components that can significantly contribute to building REE in our organizations, create evidence-based learning, and transform the sector.

Whitney leaning against a railing on a downtown street
Photograph by Claire Nakkachi

Pledge Components

Policies and Systems

Commitment and accountability to REE in organizational policies and systems.

People, Leadership, and Organizational Structure.

Racial and ethnic diversity across the organization regarding roles, responsibilities, and compensation parity

Organizational Culture

All staff feel respected and valued, and experience physical and psychological safety in the workplace.

Accountability

Demonstrated implementation of REE commitments, measurement of progress in concrete ways, and regular reporting both internally and externally.

Communications and Transparency

Leaders speak credibly and openly about REE goals, progress, and outcomes internally and externally.