At California Humanities, living our values is critical to the way we work and the results we
seek. We know that achieving Justice requires Changing the Narrative and Courageous
Leadership. Our Curiosity motivates us to seek and build trusting relationships among
diverse communities, and to uncover and elevate stories from the perspectives of those
groups who have been quiet or unheard for too long. By acknowledging and highlighting
these voices, our Reparative Work promotes healing and inspires others to advance our
collective effort towards greater equity for all Californians.

Justice

We believe in the transformative power of the humanities to create a more just world.
Through critical thinking, empathy, and understanding, we strive to empower individuals
and communities to reclaim their dignity and participate fully in shaping a fair, inclusive
society so that we can achieve equitable access to the humanities for all Californians.

Changing the Narrative

We want to amplify overlooked, untold, and suppressed stories through the humanities. By
drawing from direct sources, lived experience, and first-person perspectives that represent
communities’ viewpoints of shared historical and current events, we trust these stories will
deepen and broaden our collective understanding of what it means to be a Californian.

Courageous Leadership

We aim to be bold leaders, embracing our role in modeling how the humanities can
promote mutual understanding and the advancement of a multiracial democracy. We will
speak out for what is right, even when it is hard, elevating stories whose perspectives differ
from the dominant narrative and that work toward creating a more just, welcoming society.

Curiosity

Curiosity propels our continuous learning journey, driving us to explore and more deeply
appreciate the rich diversity of all Californians and their contributions to our state history
and current affairs. By listening to those who have been historically disregarded, we aim to
foster empathy and connections within and across communities.

Reparative Work

Recognizing the lasting impact of historical injustices, we wish to promote healing and
reconciliation through the humanities. Our approach involves supporting marginalized
narratives, forging relationships based on equity and mutual respect, and fostering
dialogues between groups to address ongoing inequities and develop reparations
opportunities.