Contra Costa Commission for Women and Girls Strengthens Commitment to Equity Through Interactive Implicit Bias Workshop
County Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice Co-Directors Dr. Kendra Carr and Peter Kim lead Commissioners in examining bias, inclusion, and equitable decision-making.
August 25, 2026 | Contra Costa County, CA
The Contra Costa Commission for Women and Girls (CCCWG) welcomed Dr. Kendra Carr and Peter Kim, Co-Directors of Contra Costa County's Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice (ORESJ), for an interactive workshop on implicit bias during its August 25 Commission meeting.
The workshop provided Commissioners an opportunity to examine how unconscious assumptions and biases can influence perceptions, interactions, and decision-making, including within public institutions and community leadership.
Implicit bias refers to attitudes and associations that can influence our judgments without conscious awareness. Recognizing these biases is an important part of developing fairer, more inclusive practices, particularly when making decisions that affect people from different backgrounds and life experiences.
For a Commission charged with advising county leadership on issues affecting women and girls, understanding implicit bias is especially relevant. Gender, race, ethnicity, disability, age, economic circumstances, and other aspects of identity can intersect to create different experiences of opportunity, discrimination, and access to services.
The interactive workshop encouraged reflection on how Commissioners can approach their responsibilities with greater awareness, engage constructively across differences, and ensure that diverse community perspectives are considered in the Commission's work.
"Equity begins with a willingness to examine our own assumptions, including those we may not realize we hold," said Commission Chair Marilyn Cachola Lucey. "As Commissioners, we have a responsibility to listen beyond our own experiences, recognize the barriers others face, and be thoughtful about whose voices are heard and represented in our recommendations. This is ongoing work, and it requires both humility and accountability."
About the Workshop Facilitators
Dr. Kendra Carr, Co-Director for Race Equity and Inter-Agency Engagement, brings extensive experience in education, youth leadership, research, and gender and racial equity. Her background includes leadership at Girls Leadership, a national nonprofit focused on gender and racial equity, and nearly a decade in school leadership serving predominantly low-income students and students of color.
Peter Kim, Co-Director for Race Equity and Community Empowerment, brings more than 25 years of experience in community engagement, youth development, violence prevention, and public systems reform. His work has emphasized community-led solutions, relationship-centered approaches, and building partnerships that advance equity and community well-being.
Together, they lead Contra Costa County's Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice, which works across county departments and with community partners to address systemic inequities and strengthen access, inclusion, and opportunities for residents.
Continuing the Work of Equity and Inclusion
The Commission's engagement with ORESJ reflects its commitment to informed leadership and inclusive governance. Recognizing individual bias is one component of a broader effort to understand how institutional policies, practices, and systems can create or reinforce inequitable outcomes.
The Commission will continue working to ensure that its community engagement, public education, legislative advocacy, and policy recommendations reflect the varied experiences and needs of women and girls throughout Contra Costa County.
The Commission extends its appreciation to Dr. Carr and Mr. Kim for sharing their expertise and facilitating an important conversation about awareness, accountability, and the responsibilities of public service.
About the Contra Costa Commission for Women and Girls
The Contra Costa Commission for Women and Girls is an advisory body to the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors. The Commission works to improve the economic status, social welfare, and overall quality of life for women and girls through public education, legislative advocacy, community engagement, and policy recommendations.
Learn More and Get Involved
Commission Website: www.cccwomenscommission.com
Contra Costa County Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice: Learn About ORESJ
Contra Costa County Advisory Body Meetings and Agendas: View Official County Meeting Calendar, Agendas, and Records
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