As a kid, I was obsessed with root words, and I still am. Recently, while recapping the recent demo day for UpSurge Baltimore and Techstars' Equitech Accelerator (see below), I noticed a recurring root word: "equi." It appeared in words like "equity," which is often used interchangeably with "equality," but the two have distinct meanings.

Equality demands that everyone should be treated the same regardless of differences. In contrast, equity is about giving everyone what they need to succeed. Though they share a root word, the two concepts shouldn't be confused.

Let's keep in mind the difference between equality and equity, as it's essential to ensure that everyone gets the support they need to succeed.