What Is Equity?

Many people in our community and our country are talking about equality, equity, and inequity. Village Engage has held events about issues facing our neighbors in Greenville County, including the criminal justice system, housing, and the environment. Through these events, we have learned from community experts that inequity—specifically racial inequity—fuels the gaps between those who are thriving and those who are suffering.

Inequality, Equality, Equity, and Justice

Inequity in Greenville

In 2020, United Way of Greenville County released an important study about racial inequity in our community. The results are discouraging. The study found that: Per capita income for whites in the City of Greenville is almost three times higher than for blacks; white people occupy 83% of owner-occupied housing; 22.5% of black children and 30.2% of Hispanic children live in areas of concentrated poverty, compared to 4.8% of white children; the infant mortality rate is twice as high for black babies compared to white babies; low income residents and people of color are at higher risk for food insecurity and lack access to healthy foods; 8.9% of white residents lack health insurance, compared to 13.6% of black residents and 36.2% of Hispanic residents; and adverse neighborhood environmental conditions disproportionately impact low-income communities and communities of color.