About

community leading systems change towards racial equity

What is the Whatcom Racial Equity Commission?

The Whatcom Racial Equity Commission (WREC) is a quasi-governmental entity in Whatcom County tasked with providing a framework for constructive collaboration where representatives from various institutions in Whatcom County, including local governments and tribal nataions, schools, healthcare, and criminal justice, can work side by side with communities of color to address racial equity, civil rights, social justice, and systemic oppression locally.

“As a conduit for ongoing community collaboration, engagement, and education, within the broader context of diversity and inclusion, the purpose of the Whatcom racial equity commission is to gather, review, and evaluate data and to make recommendations on eliminating racial inequities, in all its forms, throughout Whatcom County.” (Ordinance 2022-065 Exh A)

Mission

The mission of the Whatcom Racial Equity Commission is to lead and inspire the development of a Whatcom County where people of all racial backgrounds are not only able to live but are able to truly thrive in every aspect of their lives.

Vision

We envision a future where every person in Whatcom County, from all walks of life, can interact with their community and the world around them in a manner that affirms their humanity, honors their history, and celebrates their uniqueness.

Values

Our work is centered on the belief that people deserve to exist in spaces free from fear, discrimination, or marginalization, and that racial equity should be woven into the very fabric of our county’s social, political, and economic structures.

Our goal is to go beyond surface-level initiatives to build lasting systemic change that guarantees the full inclusion and representation of all racial groups.

Through collaboration, education, advocacy, and a commitment to deep, transformative work, the Whatcom Racial Equity Commission is dedicated to making this vision a reality—where racial equity is not just an aspiration, but an everyday lived experience for all people in our community.

Commission Structure

WREC has 31 voting members (Representative and Appointed) and 6 non-voting members (Liaison). The commission was structured this way to encourage representation from a broad cross-section of community experience and expertise who will work together to address racial equity in Whatcom County.

    • (1) Representative, Lummi Nation, appointed by Lummi Indian business council;

    • (1) Representative, Nooksack Tribe, appointed by Nooksack Indian Tribe;

    • (1) Representative, Whatcom County staff member working to advance racial equity within county departments;

    • (1) Representative, city of Bellingham staff member working to advance racial equity within city of Bellingham departments;

    • (1) Representative from a municipal equity advisory body outside of the city of Bellingham;

    • (1) Law enforcement chief, lieutenant, or other representative, selected by WC Sheriffs and Police Chiefs Association;

    • (1) Whatcom County school superintendent, selected by the eligible Whatcom County school superintendents;

    • (1) Community health representative with experience serving Hispanic and Latino individuals and communities.

    • (1) Economic development professional, selected by Port of Bellingham economic development division and Whatcom associate development organization;

    • (Up to 3) Representatives from organizations working in Whatcom County to advance racial equity and human rights; organizations to be considered and selected when filling vacant positions by the commission’s appointment committee.

    • (Up to 7) Community members, which group shall include at least one of the following:

      • A student living in Whatcom County;

      • A community member with experience caring for a student currently attending a Whatcom County public school such as parent, foster parent, grandparent, caregiver, or guardian;

      • An immigrant, migrant, or refugee;

      • A business owner, manager, or independent contractor;

      • A youth or young adult aged 16 to 24 at the time of appointment;

    • (2) Diversity officers or staff members engaged in DEI work in educational institutions: one working in local higher education institutions and one working in local K-12 schools;

    • (2) Human service providers, including, but not limited to, victim or offender services, housing or houseless services, and mental health services;

    • (Up to 4) Subject matter experts, individuals with expertise in, and/or specialists in the commission’s areas of concern;

    • (1) Social justice advocate or activist whose area of focus is racial equity;

    • (1) Representative from a philanthropic organization;

    • (1) Faith leader;

    • (1) Multilingual health care provider.

    • (1) Whatcom County executive;

    • (1) Whatcom County councilmember;

    • (1) Mayor of Bellingham;

    • (1) Bellingham city councilmember;

    • (1) Chief executive officer from cities in Whatcom County other than Bellingham, selected by the Small Cities Partnership;

    • (1) Councilmember from cities in Whatcom County other than Bellingham, selected by the Small Cities Partnership.

Annual Reports

2024