It’s an exciting time for “Profiles in Black Leadership” as Besa Gordon prepares to release a new installment on her show Back2Besa on FOX13 Seattle and nationally on FOX SOUL, this time spotlighting Megan Matthews, Director of the Washington State Office of Equity, this weekend.
Megan Matthews, a native of Tacoma, Washington, leads the Washington State Office of Equity with a clear and collaborative vision. Her personal journey, from a low-income background to a leadership position, has had a profound impact on her dedication to equity. She emphasizes that the office exists to fundamentally change how government operates, ensuring it works for everyone, not just a select few. This involves desegregating agencies and fostering a holistic approach to address systemic issues. The office was established in 2020 through legislation, driven by community advocacy and a task force that recognized the need for fair systems, especially in the wake of events like the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.
Megan defines equity as providing everyone with the opportunities, power, and resources they need to live their best lives. She highlights the difference between equity and equality, explaining that people have diverse needs and access points, and a one-size-fits-all approach often fails to address historical inequities like redlining, Jim Crow laws, and discriminatory policies that excluded Black people from opportunities like the New Deal and the GI Bill. Her goal is to acknowledge past injustices and actively work towards repairing those systems to ensure everyone has the chance to build wealth and thrive…