Our Story

Guiding Principles

In 2018, R.A.C.E. for Equity was launched with one goal: to support leaders to achieve and scale measurable results through authentic and sustained community engagement. Our work is guided by the belief that those closest to the lived experience of systemic inequities have valuable insights and assets that should drive program development and implementation, policy development and culturally responsive evaluation.

We provide training, technical assistance and direct coaching as organizations design services, programs, policies, and/or strategic action plans. At RACE for Equity, community members are equal partners at every step of the process and our methods of outreach are responsive to each community's culture and values. In all that we do, we advocate for Results Achieved through Community Engagement (Let’s RACE together!).

Meet our founder

Dr. Deitre Allen Epps- Founder and CEO

Deitre Allen Epps has over 30 years of experience in providing education, training, and technical assistance to health, human services, and education leaders to support evidence-informed strategies towards improving individual and community wellbeing. Her work has included capacity building and direct support for leaders to implement data driven decision making with Results Based Accountability™ (RBA). Her clients include federal, state, and local public agencies, foundations, and non-profit organizations. As a global consultant, she works with international agencies to advance culturally and linguistically appropriate strategies that achieve results. She’s worked with international leaders, including Australia, Canada, South Africa, The United Kingdom and Zimbabwe. Her energizing keynote addresses have motivated leaders to move from talk to actions that advance equity for people and communities.

Health equity

RACE for Equity collects and disaggregates data using a social determinants of health lens to design collaborations and comprehensive strategic action plans that fully address health inequities. Acknowledging the negative health outcomes perpetuated through systemic racism supports our capacity to develop multi-sector solutions that are both results oriented and responsive to the legacy of slavery and Jim Crow in the US. Both evidence-based practices and meaningful community engagement throughout the decision-making process ensure solutions improve the health and wellbeing of the populations we serve.

global consultation

RACE for Equity provides technical training and assistance to organizations across the globe, developing their capacity to integrate equitable practices to address the needs of their diverse customers. In Queensland, Australia, we’ve offered culturally responsive strategies to reduce educational and health disparities among Aboriginal youth and families. With a Results Based Accountability™ (RBA) framework, we strengthen our clients’ application of data-driven decision making by facilitating their selection of measurable outcomes.

early childhood leadership Development

Deitre Allen Epps has dedicated more than 15 years advocating for early childhood development, education, and health. As a national trainer for child care health consultants, she has facilitated an integrated perspective of early childhood development with child health, utilizing national standards (Caring for Our Children) to improve childcare settings outside of the home. As the Director for Baltimore City’s School Readiness Initiative, Deitre worked with communities and leaders across Baltimore to improve the percentage of school ready youth from 27% in 2003, to 58% in 2007.

Results Based Accountability™

RACE for Equity provides clients with the training and support needed to effectively integrate the Results Based Accountability™ (RBA) framework into their practice. In addition, we advocate for an equity-centered, community-based RBA approach that acknowledges the importance of creating opportunities for community members to amplify their voice. Including those with lived experiences throughout the RBA process facilitates strategic planning designed to address the needs and values most important to the communities we serve.