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Our Equity Commitment

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What we believe

To pursue our mission, we study gaps and inequities, ask tough questions about structural racism and deliberately center diverse voices in problem-solving. We build our own skills to deliver solutions that center racial equity, with particular attention to equitable ways of thinking and working, and we help our clients do the same in projects with a goal of increasing equity. We believe:

Black lives matter.

We are collectively responsible to amplify and support Black students, families and leaders.

People are experts in their own experience.

We cannot effectively support our clients to problem solve and innovate without centering the people they aim to serve.

Racism and inequity were designed, and can be redesigned.

People make up the systems, policies and processes that govern our experience, and we must support our clients to explore their role in reimagining what could be possible.

Education agencies are people-focused organizations.

They will succeed only when they implement equitable, inclusive and coherent strategies and solutions.

When organizations design solutions with the people farthest from opportunity and place racial equity at the forefront of organizational and operational decisionmaking and strategy

When everyone in the organization feels they belong, feels connected to the mission and has trusting relationships with one another

When people know how to coordinate and collaborate effectively, and policies, processes and systems work in sync across organizational divides

Race equity culture

Within Education First, we have committed to building a Race Equity Culture—creating the conditions to adopt antiracist mindsets and actions. To live into this commitment:

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    As individuals

    As individuals, Ed Firsters are engaged in Race, Equity, Inclusion and Diversity (RIDE)-centered professional learning that supports team member learning, unlearning, reflection and action.

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    As leaders

    As leaders of the organization, all Education First Partners and Chiefs have identified areas of growth and are engaged in active development of their personal RIDE beliefs and behaviors.

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    As an organization

    As an organization, we continue to examine and refine the design of our initiatives, policies and practices that translate to our workplace experiences so that we can continuously improve the lived experiences of all Ed First team members.

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    As an organization partner

    As an organization, we are partnering with clients to center the communities they seek to serve throughout our engagements.

We continue to revisit our goals and prioritized actions, as the work of combatting and dismantling systemic racism in education is a journey, not a destination.

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