There can be no doubt a movement for equity is blooming in America. Millions of community residents and leaders, advocates, activists, researchers, and elected officials are working hard to ensure we all live in fair, inclusive, and opportunity-rich communities.

We see evidence of the movement everywhere. From the community leaders pushing for affordable housing to the parents advocating for cleaner air to the policymakers bringing positive changes to scale, we are witnessing progress in corners big and small.

But what, exactly, is the “equity” we are all working toward? What does a society built on equitable principles look like? What is the meaning behind this movement-shaping banner?

PolicyLink staff and our allies think it is vital to put the concept of equity into words. To see this movement truly succeed at all levels, we must have a common understanding of what equity means and how we can reach it.

Today, we offer our definition of equity:

“Equity means just and fair inclusion. An equitable society is one in which all can participate and prosper. The goals of equity must be to create conditions that allow all to reach their full potential. In short, equity creates a path from hope to change.”

By defining equity, we aim to demonstrate to the millions of equity advocates out there just how intertwined all our efforts are. The equity movement, united beneath a common banner, is and will be a powerful force for positive change.

We at PolicyLink are committed to nurturing and buttressing this movement over the long-term — working in partnerships seeking change, speaking out on the issues, and keeping us all connected on ways to get engaged with the efforts of PolicyLink and the broader field. Expect to see more about our efforts to help build the equity movement in the coming months.

In the meantime, please let us know in the comments what you think about the equity movement — and what equity means to you.