We Ready. You?
Today’s pic represents awareness of a new school year with Indy School Fam reconnecting, refreshed, and ready to experience renewed commitments towards more diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and justice in our schools.
It was just last year that courageous Black students, and others, said 'ENOUGH' by vulnerably bearing witness and testimony, placing demands on independent schools to do better. Parents were right beside them, advocating and holding schools accountable for implementing anti-racist policies & curriculum.
For many indy school stakeholders, this feels like a watershed moment. As one head of school put it, '"I want to help right the wrongs," and "We're not stopping, we're just getting started." Others recognize that DEIBJ is mission-aligned and ensures their schools remain relevant. Like ALL institutions, independent schools have a ways to go to rid themselves of systemic racism.
So, why do Black & Brown families continue to look at independent schools as a place to belong? Because, we ALREADY BELONG. Consider that many of our ancestors were the capital before there was such a thing, entirely creating industries that built vast wealth that resourced many of our elite primary, secondary & post-secondary schools.
It's not that predominantly white institutions are inherently better. Or, as Nikole Hannah-Jones writes, it's not that white kids are magical. It's just that resources follow whiteness. We want that, and community.
RIISE advocates for independent school education, and we also critique it (the tension between the two can be thick and loving and rewarding!), helping schools become better and Black & Brown families navigate and negotiate both admission and enrollment authentically.
Schedule your consult today https://calendly.com/4riise/consult Link is also in IG profile.
Save The Date |10.17 - RIISE Fall Boutique Recruitment Event