The Foundation of Action Path Equity
Who am I?
My name is Court Morse and I am enrolled in the Sault Ste Marie tribe of Chippewa Indians, Ojibwe, Anishinaabeg. I am a proud Two-Spirit activist and movement builder who has worked with many non-profits and companies on racial justice issues. As a multi-racial, gender non-conforming, queer person who has experienced low-income and middle-income parts of my life, worked as both executive director and employee, both service-provider and client, both radical and government employee, I have a unique background of struggles and privilege which informs how I build powerful bridges and translations of experience in this work.
My Career
For the past fifteen years, I have specialized in getting people to move and build techniques for racial justice. I've consulted numerous companies, government entities, individuals, and non-profit organizations on racial equity strategies both from the inside and outside. I've had the chance to organize in many places around the country, but have built my work primarily in Oregon. I've been on the frontlines getting tear-gassed for the causes I believe in and I've also been a registered lobbyist, worked in board rooms, classrooms, and as a fundraiser to move people towards racial justice. I've authored organizational toolkits, been in positions of organizational and campaign leadership, coached executives, and have worked within many resilient communities to empower our voices for change.
My Approach
I meet you where you are, this is a fundamental aspect of equity work. I don't have a generic program that I repeat for each client. You will get a tailored approach. I also keep it operational and help you determine immediate next steps as well as the foundational plan for a long-term vision. I build programs and tools with you instead of simply telling you how to achieve your goals. I know how to create precision for your current situation and locate the maximum opportunities for change.
My Super Powers
I have spoken with many different people of diverse racial identities about this work. As a multi-racial Indigenous person I have the privilege of being both an Anishinaabe and someone who experiences privilege in the proximity of whiteness. As a gender non-conforming person I sit in the middle. That helps me bridge realities with a unique medicine and power to translate experiences. I come to life in this work, and you'll know it in our first conversation. I thrive in complicated spaces and am able to connect deeply and quickly to you and your company to be a guide and a comrade alongside you in your journey for racial equity. Oh, and my sense of humor helps us get through the tough stuff.
Company Values and Vision
First and foremost, I center the needs of people of color through a trauma-informed approach. I also center race, while inviting conversations of intersectional identities and solidarity opportunities. I help you accomplish racial equity work that reduces harm for communities of color, elevates voices of the most resilient and centers your strategy to have real impact in restoring racial justice. I am a life-long learner and always open to feedback. Together, we work to make this path accessible for you, regardless of who you are and where you come from.
A Multi-Approach Professional Background
A Community Approach
Public Sector Approach
Public Sector Approach
The backbone of my career has been grassroots community organizing. I am proud to have worked in the streets talking to people on the ground and building a strategy that centers those impacted by the issues. I use these principles to this day and is where I come from is the non-profit sector and at-scale movement building strategy. I am proud to have rooted my career in the non-profit sector.
Public Sector Approach
Public Sector Approach
Public Sector Approach
As one of my most exciting adventures yet I got to provide resources and insight to over 100 companies looking to pursue racial inclusion in the city of Portland's Economic Development Bureau. I contributed to building a program that helps companies engage in DEI work, retaining and recruiting BIPOC employees, and intentionally purchasing from businesses owned by People of Color.
A political Approach
A Client-Centered Approach
A Client-Centered Approach
As a key staff member in this historic campaign, I managed and expanded the coalition table for organizations serving people of color to engage them in campaign strategy, solicit endorsements, and develop culturally empowering marriage equality materials. Additionally, having worked on multiple political campaigns, I have gained serious skills in communications, field tactics, and political tact.
A Client-Centered Approach
A Client-Centered Approach
A Client-Centered Approach
I had the honor of creating and launching an equity training program for staff and state-wide partner agencies to gain skills and knowledge related to race, hunger, and other resilient communities. In this work, I centered client experience by working inside volunteer teams at 29 school food pantry sites. Having had my own set of struggle
I had the honor of creating and launching an equity training program for staff and state-wide partner agencies to gain skills and knowledge related to race, hunger, and other resilient communities. In this work, I centered client experience by working inside volunteer teams at 29 school food pantry sites. Having had my own set of struggles, I care deeply about centering those with the biggest barriers.