In our ambition to be anti-racist organization, we will confront and reshape mindsets, practices, and policies to create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization and school system. We understand that the perspectives and leadership of our staff are critical to truly achieving our ambition. The KIPP DC Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coalition empowers staff to create and shape an organizational culture that actively reflects and champions anti-racist beliefs, practices and policies in our everyday work.
DEI Coalition Overview
The KIPP DC Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coalition is a group of individuals across race and gender within our organization–school teams, student support teams, and headquarters–that partner with the chief equity and inclusion officer, as well as school and headquarters leaders to push KIPP DC’s anti-racism work forward. The mission of this group is to create a culture that reflects anti-racist beliefs, practices, and policies by embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion learning as a key component of our staff’s experience and the work we do for our students and families. The DEI Coalition is composed of members of the Advisory Committee and the Equity Fellowship.
Advisory Committee
The Advisory Committee advises the chief equity and inclusion officer and provides feedback on KIPP DC’s regional equity agenda (REA). The Advisory Committee also analyzes region-wide DEI data and provides recommendations related to the initiatives on the REA. Candidates for the Advisory Committee must:
- Have proven experience leading teams, leading professional development, managing projects, collaborating across teams, and facilitating conversations about race and equity
- Demonstrate ability to reflect on practices related to equity and cultural competence
- Have worked at KIPP DC for at least one year
Equity Fellowship
Equity Fellows are the co-leaders of equity work at their schools and headquarters. Fellows partner with school and/or HDQ leaders and their larger community to create meaningful change within their school communities and/or teams, and use their knowledge and skills to apply an equity lens to decisions, changes, and processes. The 2023-2024 Fellowship will include two cohorts: the Design Cohort and the Development Cohort.
Design Cohort (equityXdesign Projects): Fellows who are a part of the Design Cohort will learn about the equityXdesign process and work collaboratively to explore and solve problems related to diversity, equity, and inclusion across the network. Ideal candidates have completed learning around foundational topics related to DEI (such as power, the four levels of oppression and change, and intersectionality.) They will be passionate about problem-solving and including marginalized voices throughout that process. Candidates must have worked at KIPP DC for at least one school year.
Development Cohort (Leading & Learning): Fellows who are a part of the Development Cohort will participate in learning sessions to become leaders for equity. They will receive development in foundational topics related to DEI and leadership development aligned to the Leadership Toolkit (including adult facilitation, gathering feedback, recognizing and repairing harm, and collaborating across difference.) They will use this learning and development to support School Leaders and Leadership Teams with their equity priorities. Ideal candidates are eager and willing to learn and dedicated to their own development. Candidates must have worked at KIPP DC for at least one school year.
Fellows in both Cohorts will attend monthly sessions and receive support and coaching from the Equity & Inclusion Team. All Fellows receive a stipend for successful completion of the program.
Selection Criteria
All candidates interested in the DEI Coalition (Advisory Committee and Equity Fellowship) should meet the following criteria:
- Minimum of 1 year teaching/working at KIPP DC
- Demonstrated commitment to leading equity work in schools and/or amongst teams
- Proven effectiveness in current role
- Ability to spend additional time outside current role for trainings, meetings, etc.
Advisory Committee candidates should also have:
- Ability to lead professional development, trainings, and collaborative planning meetings for small and large groups
- Proven experience leading teams, leading professional development, managing projects, collaborating across teams, and facilitating conversations about race and equity
- Demonstrated ability to reflect on practices related to equity and cultural competence
The selection process for DEI Coalition members will include:
- Application screening
- Performance task review (Advisory Committee only)
- Internal references (peer and leader)