Introducing our 2023 staff Racial Equity and Inclusion (REI) Committee comprised of five staff members who will advise the Executive Team on racial equity vision, strategy and transformation within our agency in the months to come. Read on to learn what they are looking forward to and the unique perspectives they'll bring to the REI work ahead.

kat acosta - major gifts officer (returning member)

“I find this work meaningful as Health Care for the Homeless takes steps forward, looking inward and examining how it responds to racism and it's impacts, especially on the health and safety of our staff and those who seek our care. In my storytelling about who we are at Health Care for the Homeless, I think that it is important to be authentic in this conversation and call out the unique space Health Care for the Homeless serves in, as a clinic at the intersection of health and anti-racism work.”

rosita harris, CMA - Clinical trainer

"I believe we have made huge strides as an agency towards racial equity, but we have a long way to go. I would like to be a part of the valuable contributions the REI committee makes to racial equity at Health Care for the Homeless."

alkema jackson - client access project coordinator

“My goal for serving on this committee is not only to expand my knowledge and experience as an individual but to be able to contribute to the growth of Health Care for the Homeless. I want to be a reflection of REI work and be a part of cultivating this culture of radical REI activism.”

Jill steele-mcghee - real estate developer (returning member)

“When I researched Health Care for the Homeless during my interview process, I learned of the REI committee and the Agency’s goal to pursue racial equity and inclusion throughout the organization’s work to fulfill the mission. I knew then I wanted to be involved if given the opportunity. I believe racial equity is crucial to have a just society. As Martin Luther King Jr. stated, 'No one is free until we are all free.' In Baltimore, 70% of renters paying more than 50% of their income in rent represents African American and Hispanic renters. Providing affordable housing is my way of improving outcomes for all racial groups.”

syandene underwood, bsw - Housing Services case manager (returning member)

"I want to expand my mind to what may be the internal biases that I need to work on. I want to be part of the creation of change in my agency. I love making new ideas. I am not the smoother and shaper of thoughts but I really love coming up with big ideas in the hopes of finding great solutions. I think we are doing really well as an agency, but there's no need to stop growing in our cultural changes."

Meet our Board REI Sub-Committee    Learn about our REI work