Ripple Effects Releases New Version of Race/Racism Tutorial

We updated our professional development software which helps teachers address race as a social construct, and how racism can be approached as a problem without blame or shame. Our aim is to create a safe space for educators to reflect on race and racism and enable them to risk deeper levels of self-honesty, an important […]

Equity, Diversity & Edtech

The “wall of silence” is crumbling. For the first time, Silicon Valley’s technology companies have begun releasing data about the diversity of their employees. The disclosures help to quantify a reality that many have suspected or experienced firsthand: Less than five percent of the collective workforces of Facebook, Google and Yahoo are black or Hispanic; four […]

Diversity: Why is it Important?

I remember the exact moment I realized the importance of diversity in education reform. This realization occurred during a diversity exercise at the opening retreat for a high school leadership program. Ironically, I realized how important diversity was through an exercise that I thought was counterproductive to the inclusive aspect of diversity. We were standing […]

Charter Board Partners is Building Awareness that Diverse Charter Boards are Better Boards

Raël N. James, CBP’s recruiting director is leading a national awareness effort on board diversity based on our belief that diverse boards are better boards. Board member Michael Pickrum is helping us identify & connect with high profile people of color to encourage them to join boards & support charters. In the past year, our DC board candidate network increased from […]

Axis Talent Partners Pledge to Diversity

As education practitioners, our team has long been fueled by a deep commitment to diversity & equity, something we had yet to articulate publicly. Inspired by the conversation at Summit 2014, we’ve reflected this in our values statement (link). We’re proud to work with smaller districts & independent charter schools throughout the country identifying and hiring […]

NewSchools Invests in Accelerator to Elevate Leaders of Color

It is often stated that education is the civil rights issue of our time. While there are many aspects related to equity in education that need to be addressed, a particular area of concern for NewSchools is the lack of racial diversity in leadership roles representing the very communities we serve. In a step toward change, NewSchools is pleased to be working with Carmita Vaughan on a leadership accelerator to identify, train and provide career counsel to emerging leaders of color in the education reform movement.

NewSchools Changes the Room at Summit 2014

We enlisted partner organizations to help identify more black and Latino participants and speakers at Summit. 26% of Summit attendees were people of color–up from 14% in 2013. These new voices changed the conversation in sessions and in the hallways resulting in more courageous conversations about race and class, more action diversifying leadership in ed reform and […]

Camelback Ventures Commits to Education Entrepreneurs of Color

NewSchools is supporting Camelback Ventures to help reduce the opportunity gap for education entrepreneurs from underserved communities. Aaron Walker started the Camelback Fellows Program to provide early-stage coaching, connections and capital to social entrepreneurs of color. Camelback’s goal is to provide $5 million in funding to 100 entrepreneurs with 80% sustaining leadership roles over the […]

TFA Adjusts Recruiting Policies to Encourage Inclusion

Teach for America made a deliberate effort to improve both the racial and the socioeconomic diversity of their teaching corps and it shows! This years’ TFA recruits are the most diverse ever with half of the 2014-2015 cohort identifying as people of color and 47% coming from low-income backgrounds. Expanding diversity has built a corps […]

UP Academy Holland Staff Represents the Students They Serve

At UP Academy Holland in Dorchester, MA, 46% of staff, including the founding principal and director of operations, identify as people of color. Having a staff with such diverse backgrounds and experiences adds tremendous value to their work with students, 83% of whom identify as African American or Latino. With the launch of Holland this […]