Washington County has ushered in a milestone with the appointment of Alicia Sojourner as the entity's chief equity and inclusion officer, marking a decided step toward broadening diversity, equity, and inclusion following a resolution passed by the Board of Commissioners in February 2020.
Sojourner, whose expertise stems from a robust background in directing equity work in the City of Vancouver, Washington, emerges at the forefront after a search process canvassing the nation that extended four months, encompassing 76 applicants from which several finalists were culled and placed before panels comprising community members, and employees, delivering their disparate viewpoints into the mix.
County Administrator Tanya Ange underscored the essence of Washington County's mission, stating, "The Washington County community is among the most vibrant and diverse in Oregon and our mission speaks to a human-centered organization that integrates equity into our decision-making," as Washington County's announcement articulated. Sojourner herself conveyed her resolve, noting, "I’m deeply honored to join Washington County and to continue building a truly inclusive community. Together, we will work to ensure every voice is valued, every person feels a sense of belonging and every community member has access to the resources they need to thrive."
Before her newest role, Sojourner's journey weaves through her management of racial equity, inclusion, and community engagement in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, adjacent to the race-charged epicenter of Minneapolis, where she brandished her expertise for three years in the Minneapolis YWCA, collaborating with Fortune 500 companies, governmental bodies, faith groups, and educational entities, she provided racial equity consulting, and she helmed equitable organizing and civic engagement for Minneapolis's Child CareWORKS, crusading for the working parent.
With a $2.1 billion support system and a team of 2,570 full-time equivalent employees, Washington County harbors Oregon's second-largest populace, touting a badge of diversity as it shelters the state's largest Latino/a/x contingency coupled with unrivaled numbers of Asians and Pacific Islanders, not neglecting the linguistic tapestry of nearly one in four residents who converse in a tongue foreign to English. Sojourner's mission in this vibrant tapestry should pivot around the Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement, propelling the county's dedication to fostering progressive policies and instilling best practices, thus ensuring all residents flourish.
