For the better part of the last two decades, Traco Matthews has been a community leader in and around Bakersfield, working towards equity on socioeconomic and educational standpoints. Now, Matthews has added health and racial equity in an official capacity being hired by Kern Health Systems as the Chief Health Equity Officer and being appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to the Racial Equity Commission. 23ABC's Sam Hoyle spoke with Matthews to learn more about his life and mission.
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00:00 Last month, Traco Matthews, a lifelong Central Valley resident, prominent Bakersfield community member, was appointed to Governor Newsom's Racial Equity Commission.
00:09 23 ABC's Sam Hoyle spoke with Matthews this afternoon to learn about his interest in social equity and the commission's goals.
00:17 If you've lived in Bakersfield for the better part of the last two decades, it's entirely possible that you've come across this man.
00:24 I'm also a pastor, and so many of my evenings are involved with direct work in the community.
00:32 Traco Matthews has lived in Bakersfield for nearly 20 years, working to bring equity to the community from several viewpoints, including socioeconomic, educational, and now health.
00:41 So I actually began as the Chief Health Equity Officer here at Current Health Systems on January 3rd of this year.
00:49 And so I've been here just over seven months, about seven and a half months.
00:53 Matthews noted his goal as Chief Equity Officer for Current Health Systems is to ensure he and his team are working efficiently to ensure the company is meeting people where they are at and getting them the help they need.
01:04 That's why he believes the work he does on the day to day will go in tandem with his spot on the Racial Equity Commission.
01:10 The work on the Racial Equity Commission is deeply connected to the work that I get to do every day here at Current Health Systems in service of health equity.
01:20 And so that's why I think the positions actually, they marry pretty well, because it's all in service of making sure that we get people the services and the resources that they need where they are.
01:35 Matthews says the commission has not met in a full capacity yet, but noted that he hopes the commission eventually comes full circle to the point where it's no longer needed.
01:43 This work matters if we can help drive different outcomes for people. And so I look forward to a day where the playing field is so level that you don't really need a racial equity commission because folks have relatively equal access.
02:01 Outcomes are pretty close, no matter your race or no matter your background. And so long term, I would love to see us, quote unquote, put ourselves out of business.
02:12 of business. In Bakersfield, Sam Hoyle, 23 ABC News, connecting you.