Since our founding, Build It Green has operated within systems where discrimination and racism are institutionalized, leading to uneven distribution of benefits and burdens based on race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, physical and cognitive abilities, and other factors. We recognize we must take conscious action to ensure principles of justice, equity, inclusion, and diversity are central to both our organization and our approach to regenerative neighborhood development. 

As such, Build It Green commits to: 

• Deepen our understanding of systemic bias and racism, both in our communities writ large and within the building ecosystem.
• Build a staff and leadership structure (board of directors, advisory boards, etc.) that are diverse and cultivating an internal culture that is welcoming and inclusive. 
• Incorporate an equity lens into our approach to regenerative neighborhood development. Our programming will be responsive to, and reflective of, community needs and priorities and will expand access to the resources and tools BIG provides. We will also apply an equity lens to our internal policies and processes.
• Listen to, and learn from, those most impacted by housing inequities. 
• Shift decision-making power and resources to the communities in which we work, especially in historically under-resourced communities and those who will be most impacted by climate change.
• Be transparent and accountable to the communities with which we work.

We welcome partners who share our commitment to the values of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion. A broad network of partners will be crucial to building communities where everyone can prosper and thrive.

Build It Green will evolve as we embrace these commitments and, as we do, the commitments we make to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice will also evolve. In the spirit of transparency, we will update our commitments as they change.