The UCOP Anti-Racism Task Force was initiated by former UC President Napolitano in July 2020 to improve UCOP’s approach to addressing racism. The Task Force is charged to review and assess how effectively existing UCOP policies, practices and procedures deal with concerns about racism, bias, intolerance and discrimination, and includes representatives from all UCOP departments. It is facilitating discussions with employees in all divisions, at all locations, and at all organizational levels to solicit their perspectives.
Task Force members are organized into five work groups: hiring, recruitment, retention, promotion/career, and workplace culture. Each work group will identify areas of concern and opportunity and make proposals for change. Task Force findings and recommendations will be presented to President Drake and the executive vice presidents by November 30, 2020.
UC Procurement is represented on the Anti-Racism Task Force and Workplace Culture workgroup by Budget Analyst, Stacey Johnson. Stacey’s experience and passion for this cause runs deep. As a Berkeley native, she claims social and political activism and community service are part of her DNA. “I’m pretty sure my first art project in preschool was a picture or sign for a demonstration or rally of some sort,” she says.
At Berkeley High School, Stacey served as Vice President of the Black Student Union, and at San Francisco State, she was President of both the Black Student Union and Pan African Student Alliance, while earning a BA in Political Science plus another BA in African American Studies. She was also Chairperson of the Social Action Committee for her Delta Sigma Theta sorority chapter and a volunteer with the NAACP.
This past summer, Stacey completed a 9-part NAACP series that focused on community activism, community and grassroots organizing, political campaign involvement, voter registration information and understanding political roles and community engagement. She also participated in a 3-part series through the UC Berkeley history department, entitled “Lessons from the Southern Freedom Movement.” Part of her DNA is right!
President Barack Obama has repeatedly stated that ‘we are more alike than we are different.’ That’s his call for unity and way to rally Americans together. Being a member of the Anti-Racism Task Force and the Workplace Culture working group has given me greater insight on just how powerful and true that phrase is. I am 100% committed to this cause and effort. It truly is necessary work.
Budget Analyst, Stacey Johnson, on her involvement and commitment to this work.