What is equity?
‘Equity’ means the consistent and systematic treatment of all individuals in a fair, just, and impartial manner, including individuals who belong to communities that often have been denied such treatment, such as Black, Latino, Indigenous and Native American, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander persons and other persons of color; members of religious minorities; women and girls; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) persons; persons with disabilities; persons who live in rural areas; persons who live in United States Territories; persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality; and individuals who belong to multiple such communities. (Executive Order 14091)
Learn more about how Federal agencies are working to build an equitable nation by delivering on economic justice, educational equity, environmental justice, civil rights, health equity, criminal justice, housing justice and community investment, and global equality.
EXECUTIVE ORDER 14091
"When any person or community is denied freedom, dignity, and prosperity, our entire Nation is held back. But when we lift each other up, we are all lifted up… Achieving racial equity and support for underserved communities is not a one-time project. It must be a multi-generational commitment, and it must remain the responsibility of agencies across the Federal Government. It therefore continues to be the policy of my Administration to advance an ambitious, whole-of-government approach to racial equity and support for underserved communities and to continuously embed equity into all aspects of Federal decision-making."
LEARN MORE
- White House Fact Sheet: 2023 Equity Action Plans
- Progress Report: Equity Action Plans
- The Administration's Equity Agenda
- Executive Order 14091: Further Advancing Equity
- Executive Order 13985: Advancing Equity
- Executive Order 14058: Transforming Federal Customer Experience
- President Biden’s FY 2024 Budget Advances Equity
- Progress Report: Subcommittee on Equitable Data
- Reducing Burdens to Accessing Critical Benefits and Services
- Broadening Public Engagement in the Federal Regulatory Process
- OMB Memo on Strengthening Digital Accessibility
- OMB Memo on Advancing Equity in Federal Procurement
- OMB Report to POTUS on Equity Assessment Methods
Sustaining an equitable future
On his first day in office, President Biden signed Executive Order 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government, directing Federal agencies to advance equity for all Americans through an unprecedented transformation of decision-making processes, policy changes, and bold actions commensurate with the nation’s greatest challenges. To strengthen the Federal Government’s ability to address the barriers that underserved communities continue to face, President Biden signed Executive Order 14091, Further Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government, on February 16, 2023. Executive Order 14091 reaffirms the Administration’s commitment to make real the promise of America for everyone, including by directing agencies to: purposefully dedicate expertise and personnel to equity efforts; expand Federal investment in rural and urban communities that have been locked out of opportunity; improve the quality, frequency, and accessibility of community engagement; address emerging civil rights risks; and promote data equity and transparency.
Under the guidance of the Domestic Policy Council and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) at the White House, Federal agencies continue to: assess how their policies and actions (e.g., programs, services, processes, and operations) perpetuate systemic barriers to opportunity; develop and implement evidence-based solutions to advance equity and justice; exercise innovative approaches to public participation and community engagement; participate in interagency equity learning communities; and embed equity in the everyday business of Government.
These historic efforts are driven by annual agency Equity Action Plans that focus on specific agency strategies to redress inequities and promote equitable outcomes across America.
The Biden-Harris Administration remains committed to holding Federal agencies accountable for results, and leveraging all existing policy, regulatory, and budget mechanisms to accomplish the monumental task of ensuring the Government works for all people. We will continue partnering with and learning from the American people as we work to forge a nation in which all can participate, prosper, and reach their full potential.
Hearing from the public
Executive Order 13985 charged OMB to identify and report to the President effective methods for assessing whether agency policies and actions equitably serve all eligible individuals and communities, particularly those who are underserved. As part of that effort, OMB issued a Request for Information (RFI) in 2021 to seek input, information, and recommendations from a broad array of cross-sector stakeholders.
OMB received and analyzed nearly 500 responses addressing the following areas: Equity Assessments and Strategies, Barrier and Burden Reduction, Procurement and Contracting, Financial Assistance, and Stakeholder and Community Engagement. In addition to reviewing and incorporating relevant recommendations from these responses into their work, Federal agencies continue to engage the public, including underserved communities, on the development and implementation of equity-related efforts.
Equity Action Plans
Equity Action Plans are released annually by major Federal agencies, including all Cabinet and most Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Act Agencies. In 2022, more than 65 small and independent agencies also voluntarily released Equity Action Plans—in recognition of the value and urgency of applying an equity lens to improve agency performance and service delivery—and continue to advance equity efforts. Collectively, these Equity Action Plans lay out hundreds of concrete commitments to address the inequities that hold far too many communities back from prosperity, dignity, and equality.
Equity Action Plans are a critical component of the comprehensive approach for the Federal Government to transform itself—to ensure that fairness and equity become not just ideals, but principles embedded in the daily practices by which Government serves its people.
AA and NHPI Agency Plans
On May 28, 2021, President Biden signed Executive Order 14031, Advancing Equity, Justice, and Opportunity for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, establishing the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI). In collaboration with WHIAANHPI, over 30 Federal agencies released agency plans, collectively representing the Administration's national strategy to advance equity, justice, and opportunity for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) communities.
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Department of Agriculture
2023 Equity Action Plan
2022 Equity Action Plan
AANHPI Agency Plan -
Department of Commerce
2023 Equity Action Plan
2022 Equity Action Plan
AANHPI Agency Plan -
Department of Defense
2023 Equity Action Plan
2022 Equity Action Plan
AANHPI Agency Plan -
Department of Education
2023 Equity Action Plan
2022 Equity Action Plan
AANHPI Agency Plan -
Department of Energy
2023 Equity Action Plan
2022 Equity Action Plan
AANHPI Agency Plan -
Department of Health & Human Services
2023 Equity Action Plan
2022 Equity Action Plan
AANHPI Agency Plan -
Department of Homeland Security
2023 Equity Action Plan
2022 Equity Action Plan
AANHPI Agency Plan -
Department of Housing and Urban Development
2023 Equity Action Plan
2022 Equity Action Plan
AANHPI Agency Plan -
Department of Labor
2023 Equity Action Plan
2022 Equity Action Plan
AANHPI Agency Plan -
Department of State
2023 Equity Action Plan
2022 Equity Action Plan
AANHPI Agency Plan -
Department of Transportation
2023 Equity Action Plan
2022 Equity Action Plan
AANHPI Agency Plan -
Department of Veterans Affairs
2023 Equity Action Plan
2022 Equity Action Plan
AANHPI Agency Plan -
Department of the Interior
2023 Equity Action Plan
2022 Equity Action Plan
AANHPI Agency Plan -
Department of the Treasury
2023 Equity Action Plan
2022 Equity Action Plan
AANHPI Agency Plan -
Environmental Protection Agency
2023 Equity Action Plan
2022 Equity Action Plan
AANHPI Agency Plan -
General Services Administration
2023 Equity Action Plan
2022 Equity Action Plan
AANHPI Agency Plan -
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
2023 Equity Action Plan
2022 Equity Action Plan
AANHPI Agency Plan -
National Science Foundation
2023 Equity Action Plan
2022 Equity Action Plan
AANHPI Agency Plan -
Office of Personnel Management
2023 Equity Action Plan
2022 Equity Action Plan
AANHPI Agency Plan -
Small Business Administration
2023 Equity Action Plan
2022 Equity Action Plan
AANHPI Agency Plan -
Social Security Administration
2023 Equity Action Plan
2022 Equity Action Plan
AANHPI Agency Plan -
U.S. Department of Justice
2023 Equity Action Plan
2022 Equity Action Plan
AANHPI Agency Plan -
United States Agency for International Development
2023 Equity Action Plan
2022 Equity Action Plan
AANHPI Agency Plan
CIA | Central Intelligence Agency | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
AMERICORPS | Corporation for National and Community Service | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
CEA | Council of Economic Advisors | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
CEQ | Council on Environmental Quality | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
CSOSA | Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the District of Columbia | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
FEMA | Federal Emergency Management Agency | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
NEA | National Endowment for the Arts | 2022 Equity Action Plan | AANHPI agency plan |
NEH | National Endowment for the Humanities | 2022 Equity Action Plan | AANHPI agency plan |
ONDCP | Office of National Drug Control Policy | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
ONHIR | Office of Navajo Hopi Indian Relocation | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
OSTP | Office of Science and Technology Policy | 2022 Equity Action Plan | AANHPI agency plan |
ODNI | Office of the Director of National Intelligence | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
USTR | Office of the U.S. Trade Representative | 2022 Equity Action Plan | AANHPI agency plan |
PC | Peace Corps | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
SI | Smithsonian Institution | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
USICH | U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
OGE | U.S. Office of Government Ethics | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
UDALL | Udall Foundation | 2022 Equity Action Plan |
ACUS | Administrative Conference of the United States | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
ACHP | Advisory Council of Historic Preservation | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
ABMC | American Battle Monuments Commission | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
ARC | Appalachian Regional Commission | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
CSHIB | Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
CFA | Commission of Fine Arts | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
USCCR | Commission on Civil Rights | 2022 Equity Action Plan | AANHPI agency plan |
CPSC | Consumer Product Safety Commission | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
CFPB | Consumer Protection Finance Bureau | 2022 Equity Action Plan | AANHPI agency plan |
DRA | Delta Region Authority | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
DENALI | Denali Commission | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
EAC | Election Assistance Commission | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
EXIM | Export-Import Bank of the U.S. | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
FCC | Federal Communications Commission | 2022 Equity Action Plan | AANHPI agency plan |
FERC | Federal Energy Regulatory Commission | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
FFIEC-ASC | Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council - Appraisal Subcommittee | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
FMC | Federal Maritime Commission | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
FMCS | Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
FMSHRC | Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
FRTIB | Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
FTC | Federal Trade Commission | 2022 Equity Action Plan | AANHPI agency plan |
GCERC | Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
IAIA | Insititute of American Indian Arts | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
IMLS | Institute of Museum and Library Services | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
IAF | Inter-American Foundation | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
JUSFC | Japan-US Friendship Commission | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
MMC | Marine Mammal Commission | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
MCC | Millennium Challenge Corporation | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
NARA | National Archives | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
NCPC | National Capital Planning Commission | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
NCD | National Council on Disability | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
NLRB | National Labor Relations Board | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
NTSB | National Transportation Safety Board | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
NBRC | Northern Border Regional Commission | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
OSHRC | Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
PBGC | Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
PT | Presidio Trust | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
PSA | Pretrial Services Agency for the District of Columbia | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
PCLOB | Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
PDSDC | Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
STB | Surface Transportation Board | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
TVA | Tennessee Valley Authority | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
USA1 | U.S. AbilityOne Commission | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
AB | U.S. Access Board | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
USAGM | U.S. Agency for Global Media | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
EEOC | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission | 2022 Equity Action Plan | AANHPI agency plan |
HMM | U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
DFC | U.S. International Development Finance Corporation | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
MSPB | U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
NWTRB | U.S. Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board | 2022 Equity Action Plan | |
USTDA | U.S. Trade and Development Agency | 2022 Equity Action Plan |