What is a Race Equality Accountability Plan?
A race equity accountability plan is a structured, ongoing commitment to confronting and dismantling systemic racism. It’s not a checklist or a statement. It’s about learning, listening, reflecting and acting, over and over again.
This plan uses HR Acuity’s commitment framework:
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Research & Relearn
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Listen First
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Acknowledge Privilege & Address Bias
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Commit to Change & Mobilize’
Personal Accountability vs. Performative Allyship
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Personal accountability means doing the real work—owning your privilege, listening to Black (and other historically under-represented) voices, acting when it’s uncomfortable and staying consistent.
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Performative allyship is surface-level. It centers your image, not equity.
Ask yourself: Am I showing up to be helpful or to be seen?
Learn → Listen → Reflect → Act → Repeat
Working towards racial equality isn’t a one-time act, it’s a journey. Accountability means going through each step again and again with honesty and humility.
What Should I Read, Watch or Explore This Month?
This is the Research & Relearn pillar. Set a learning goal for the month and choose across three categories:
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History (what brought us here)
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Workplace equity (power, policy, practice)
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Lived experience (Black and historically under-represented voices and leadership)
How Do I Practice Listening Without Centering Myself?
This is the Listen First mindset.
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Find spaces where Black and other historically under-represented voices are already speaking—ERG events, forums and podcasts are a great start
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Don’t extract. Listen to understand, not to respond
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Don’t interrupt or relate it back to yourself
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Do write down what you heard. Do it before you speak
Tactic: Start a listening log. Record three things you learned before offering your take.
What Action Will I Take This Month?
This is the Commit & Mobilize step.
Pick one action. Start small but stay visible. Share your commitment with someone.
Ideas by role:
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Manager: Open every team meeting with a check-in on inclusion
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HR: Examine policies for built-in bias
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Peer: Share what you’ve learned with your team
The impact isn’t in one-off acts. It’s in the habits you build and the systems you influence
Reminder About Building Your Action Plan for Racial Equality
Remember this is a journey and not a short-term exercise. Building your accountability plan will help you make progress on your journey and help you influence real change. Share this template with your teams, colleagues and friends and continue to rethink and evolve your plan as you continue your journey.
Note: Use this template as a guideline. It is not intended to be a substitute or alternative to legal advice. HR Acuity is not liable for any actions arising from its use.
