Branch Equity Teams

Photo of Branch Equity Team
Branch Equity and Change Team members at 2018 end of year celebration.

Branch Equity Teams expand the reach of racial equity at SPU

EJSE team staff guide and work with over 90 staff members from across the utility in Branch Equity Teams (BETs). These BETs develop and carry out annual work plans, and track and celebrate achievements. Our model builds on over a decade of racial equity work at Seattle Public Utilities.

Lines of business and several key divisions each have their own equity team working on racial equity and inclusion. Every team is sponsored by a Utility executive who helps ensure teams have what they need to put their plans into action.

Branch Equity Teams

  • Connect leadership to racial equity work
  • Improve access to services and programs
  • Set race and social justice training plans
  • Participate in and review hiring processes
  • Identify opportunities to apply the SPU Equity Toolkit
  • Improve Women and Minority Business Enterprise (WMBE) inclusion

EJSE manages the BET model through

  • Key advice, resources and training support
  • Guidance for WMBE inclusion
  • Tools designed to support racial equity