Antiracist and Anti-BIAS COALITION PARTNERS
Anti-Bias work in schools takes coalition- building, collaboration, and partnerships. The folks listed in this section are all antiracist/anti-bias change agents and leaders in their own right. I have partnered with all of them on several projects or workshops. I would like to highlight their work and include them as potential workshop partners, future collaborators, and/or as referrals who may better fit your needs.
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Ashley M. Jones
"Anti-racism and social emotional learning are at the core of my pedagogy as an educator and in my mission as a poet. When I teach in my own classes or in those to which I travel, I take special care to share ideas, literature, and cultural concepts which work to not only educate students about the multi-layered culture and history which makes America, but to challenge them to think empathetically and critically about the lives and struggles of others. When I teach a poetry workshop, I source the example poems from writers of diverse backgrounds, and the historical context of said poem is part of the writing lesson--it becomes a more holistic educational experience in that way, allowing history and sometimes politics to play a major role in the lesson.
When I'm reading my own work or giving an adult/teacher workshop, I make sure to establish norms of respect and mutual empathy by telling my authentic story and inviting all listeners to respond with their authentic experiences. I have seen, in all of my teachings and travels, a real willingness to have open dialogue when these norms are established, and I've been very happy to see students and adults alike engage in transformative conversations which result in a more anti-racist learning and living environment." - Ashley M. Jones
Carrie Feit, Parent, Activist and Attorney
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"At this antiracist moment that we’re in, the work is in deconstructing what we think we know to be knowledge and truth, to question baselines and merit and normativity, and to instead encourage people to bring their entire selves into spaces, especially academic spaces where discourse around knowledge and truth can birth new ideas. As a parent with growing awareness of my racialized white experience, particularly in academia, my role on the PTA and in my other spheres of influence as an accomplice to racial liberation has been to uplift to Black and Brown voices and experiences to broaden the frame in which education takes place, whether that be with regard to curriculum, particularly non-white washed history and contributions, culturally informed programs, looking to root causes of perceived “bad” behavior and biased discipline, or access." - Carrie Feit #DecolonizeKnowledge #DecolonizeEducation
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carriefeit@fldisabilityattorney.com
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South Florida People of Color
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One of the things our Unity360 in schools program does well is helping with a culture shift. For most of the schools we have worked creatively with faculty, diversity councils, parent associations, and youth. The multi-pronged approach moves the needle more quickly, and roots out particularly problematic policies and individuals in the process. Additionally, the we-are-all-in-this-work- together sensibility of this approach often works as a balm, creating some patience, as problem areas are worked out.
We utilize experiential education and deep dialogue, as well as sharing key terminology, to explore aspects of identity, implicit bias, and structural and institutional oppression that affect all people.
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Diana Vasquez
Growing up in the urban community of Lynn, MA, Diana believes in equal access and opportunity for all regardless of economic or educational status. A proud Afrolatinx Dominican, she carries her intersecting identities proudly and enjoys learning from other cultures and life experiences.
After graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Diana chose to serve with AmeriCorps. She knew she was not in a position to give back financially to her community being a recent college graduate, but she had the time and a desire for direct impact. Once her AmeriCorps experience came to an end, Diana was the Program Coordinator and lead facilitator at Chica Project, a nonprofit organization focused on developing young women of color personally and professionally.
She brings experience working with a diverse array of populations and understands the importance of meeting people where they are at in order to make them feel heard and understood and to elevate the voices of those most overlooked.
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Morgan Mayfaire
For many transgender and gender non-conforming youth, school can be a scary place. In a national survey by GLSEN, 75% of Trans youth reported feeling unsafe at school. This leads to significantly lower GPAs and higher drop-out rates for Trans students as compared to their cisgender peers. Our work at TransSOCIAL focuses on expanding safe and affirming resources for our Trans and LGBQ+ community, and that includes advocating for schools to adopt Trans-affirming policies and practices. We work directly with teachers, student groups, parents and school administrators to address bathroom and locker room policies, chosen name and pronoun use, and provide direct support services to families with Trans youth who need linkage to affirming healthcare, mental health services, legal name and gender marker change assistance, and other transition-related support. Our vision is for all Trans people to be treated with dignity and respect. TransSOCIAL provides the critical resources and support needed to ensure that our Trans youth are affirmed at home and at school, helping them thrive as their authentic selves.
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Mavi Ramirez
Mavi began her career as a Culturally Sensitive Marketer and Communicator in 2005. Since then, she has worked with dozens of clients, multinational, medium and small, to help them develop strategies to speak to sensitive segments of the population effectively and sensitively. She has also worked in the HR industry developing training products and communications strategies to create inclusive workplaces and culturally sensitive organizations. She is a Summa Cum Laude graduate from Florida Atlantic University with multiple degrees in Business, Marketing Advertising and Accounting.
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Darius V. Daughtry
"Much of my life's work has been to help students process their experiences and emotions through creative expression. At the core of any creative practice is honesty. I work with young people to help them have honest conversations about themselves and the world we live in. This exploration of who they are is both an exercise that encourages identity exploration and certainly contributes to social-emotional health. And it usually comes out in poem or song or dance." - Darius V. Daughtry
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Ebonni Bryant
"My mission is to cause and support positive, systemic change to happen for businesses, organizations and communities through advocacy, governmental affairs and community engagement. After graduating from the University of Central Florida and working with companies like Coca-Cola and Lebhar-Friedman, I took my love for management, community engagement and marketing to start The Idea, Inc. in May 2010. As the owner, I manage budgets, non-profit teams and liaise with governments and corporations to provide a seat at the table for diverse demographics to help create a kind, just, and equitable society. In 2019, we started working with Community Based Connections, Inc. a human services organization delivering youth development, family strengthening, and community empowerment services to under-served populations in Broward County. This summer, I launched the Summer of Justice campaign to let the absence of our dollars speak to the power we have when we’re united through collective action to curb police power and brutality in our communities and create a new reality with effective and humane policing."-Ebonni Bryant
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www.linkedin.com/in/ebonnichrispin/
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Alex Louis RMHCI
Alexandra graduated from University of Massachusetts, Boston with a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling. She has worked with different patient populations from geriatrics to adolescents and aids in motivating people to overcome their toughest life challenges. She is passionate about incorporating cultural diversity and awareness in counseling clients who come from disenfranchised backgrounds and believes in providing everyone with a voice and empower them from within themselves. Her work with marginalized communities experiencing racial and oppression trauma is at the cornerstone of her practice.
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