DEI

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Racial Justice

Simpson Housing Services is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer/educator and Affirmative Action employer committed to the principles of diversity. Diversity continues to be our primary focus in staffing and hiring, because we believe our staff demographics should be representative of the population demographics we serve. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, Black and Indigenous People/Person(s) of Color (BIPOC), persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Simpson Housing Services prohibits the harassment of and discrimination against any employee or job applicant because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, and familial status, protected veteran status, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, genetic information, or disability. Likewise, Simpson Housing Services complies with all applicable Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action laws, directives, and regulations of federal, state, and local governing bodies or agencies thereof, specifically Minnesota Statutes Chapter 363A.36-.37.

To learn more about our commitment to doing anti-racist work and advancing racial equity, click here.

To view some of our anti-racism educational resources, click here.

Staff Learning Opportunities

We know that alignment is key to root out racism and saviorism within our agency. As we work to become an anti-racist organization, we have partnered with the Sankofa Leadership Network (SLN) to provide several sessions that center on DEI concepts such as equity leadership, unconscious bias, and microaggressions. Topics we are exploring together include:

• The purpose and intent of equity efforts in community and institutions.
• Opportunities to advance personal and institutional change.
• The Sankofa Equity Leadership Continuum™, which provides a valuable lens for strengthening self-awareness, intentional practice, and continual improvement.
•  Interrupting implicit bias, the science of automatic decision-making, and the impact of implicit bias in the workplace.

In addition, Sam Simmons will facilitate several training sessions to help us understand the ways that historical and intergenerational trauma affect the African American community. Topics include:

• What experiences of trauma mean for the practical, day-to-day work Simpson does.
• How that trauma contributes to barriers to housing stability.
• How to use a compassionate accountability framework for partnering with participants as they tackle goals related to housing and overall stability.

Simpson employees may also participate in staff-led groups, including the Racial Justice Taskforce and Identifying and Uncovering Racism.

Community Learning Opportunities

Simpson also offers virtual and in-person educational sessions that are open to the wider Simpson community, including staff, board members, volunteers, supporters, and more:

• Anti-Racism Learning Series: These workshops provide practical, accessible opportunities to learn about racism, white supremacy, white fragility, and other topics vital to Simpson’s work with the community.
• Simpson 360: Led by Simpson’s incredible program managers and staff, each 30-minute session focuses on a specific program area in Simpson’s shelter and housing programs, with time allotted for questions. Presenters address Simpson’s values and methods.