MEMORANDUM
To: Dr Marcus Campbell, Superintendent From: Lauren Hamilton, Equity Analyst and Ganae Mcalpin-Toney, Directorof
EquitySubject: Transformation for Racial Equity: The Social Consciousness Series and District-Wide Work
Date: Monday, June 12, 2023
In commitment to equity transformation, Evanston Township High School hosts an annual Social Consciousness Series This school-wide series includes four affinity-based student summits, as well as a set of programming that centers the intersectional experiences of students with disabilities The mission of the Social Consciousness Series is to provide space for students to strengthen connections amongst themselves, ETHS educators, and the greater Evanston community while inviting critical reflection to support healthy identity development These events are organized in intergenerational partnership between students and educators. This report includes attendance data and highlights from each event in this year’s series.
Also summarized in this report are some highlights from the ongoing adaptive work facilitated and supported by the Director of Equity, Equity Analyst, and Assistant/Superintendent Principal. This work aligns with district goals of providing an equitable and excellent learning environment to all students while increasing a sense of belonging Its scope involves continued investment in staff and student affinity groups, feedback mechanisms, and antiracist professional development.
Social Consciousness Series
Black Student Summit: February 8 and 9, 2023
Event Highlights
● Nick Brooks, educator and author, gave the keynote address to students on Feb 8 as part of a partnership with Family Action Network (FAN). Nick is a captivating storyteller whose address introduced his recently released blockbuster mystery, Promise Boys, which ETHS students received that day.
● Dr Yaba Blay, scholar-activist and cultural consultant, gave the keynote address on Feb 9 Her work centers the lived experiences of Black girls and women. She shared stories of growing up with dark skin in New Orleans to Ghanaian parents Following her address, Dr Blay led a workshop that provided space to explore the experiences of Black immigrant families in the United States
● Following the tradition started by the Latinx Summit, the first Black Summit dance was held at the conclusion of the event Casera Heining (DJ Ca$h Era), award winning Chicago DJ, hosted this experience.
● Of the 122 students who completed a post-summit electronic survey, 90% rated their overall experience as very good or excellent. One hundred students left words of affirmation and gratitude for the student organizing committee when given the opportunity to do so
Middle Eastern, North African, and Asian (MENAA) Student Summit: March 1, 2023
Event Highlights
● Student organizers felt an increased sense of agency over the planning and execution of this year’s event. Educators who supported these leaders shared that they were motivated to ensure summit spaces were kept sacred to their experiences and stories.
● At 190 participants, this was the largest MENAA Summit held at ETHS yet.
● A powerful fashion show and open mic was held to close the event. Coordinated by Pakistani Math teacher, Ilma Lodhi, students and educators walked in the show in traditional attire, representing 16 ethnicities and relationships to land. It was one of the most beautiful displays of pride ever showcased at an ETHS student summit.
● During the open mic, students spoke to the impact gathering in community has on their wellbeing and sense of belonging at ETHS. Among the comments were sentiments of gratitude that this event doesn’t require students to take on the labor of educating others on who they are.
LGBTQIA+ Student Summit: March 30, 2023
Event Highlights
● This year’s drag show hosted and produced by Javi Aya of Enigma Productions was especially powerful given the national onslaught of legislation that would severely restrict the rights of LGBTQIA+ people and more specifically, transgender people ETHS continues to honor the contributions of the LGBTQIA+ community through the liberating art of drag.
● The growth of the LGBTQIA+ Staff Affinity group allowed for a more collaborative summit planning experience this year With more staff leaders able to support summit planning, an LGBTQIA+ Summit Committee for student leaders (distinct from Gender and Sexuality Alliance) will be created in 2023-24.
● Black lesbian music artist from Chicago, Psalm One, was invited to be the keynote for this year’s summit She opened her address with a performance and sat down for an interview with ETHS Black queer educator, Jennifer Smith. Students were invited to submit questions for this interview, as well.
● During the registration process, 84% of students shared that they held an LGBTQIA+ identity Twelve percent of registrants indicated a desire to act in solidarity with queer friends and family by attending the summit, or that they were in a place of self-discovery.
Latinx Student Summit: April 19, 2023
Event Highlights
● Student band, Cuarta Potencia, performed during a vibrant opening ceremony after powerful opening remarks by ETHS educator, Antonio Quintero Quintero spoke to what healing from the pain of discrimination has looked like in his own life.
● Student organizers took ownership of this year’s summit planning process and held monthly meetings during the winter, a Saturday session, and weekly meetings with staff members leading up to the event.
● Yolanda Renteria, a trauma therapist and counselor based in Arizona, was the keynote speaker for Latinx Summit She spoke to her work in helping people break generational cycles that perpetuate trauma and truly thrive in their lives and relationships. She connected with students in a more intimate workshop following her address titled, “Reclaiming Your Authenticity: Tools to Discover Your True Self and Show Up Authentically” Renteria continued her work that evening as a speaker for a FAN program open to the community
Abilities Community Meet & Greet: April 18, 2023
This was a year of capacity building for Abilities Community staff members. After a strong first Abilities Awareness Week in 2022-23, leaders took the necessary space to deepen connections amongst staff members who identify as being part of this community As a result of their efforts, staff involvement numbers have tripled
A priority for students this year was to build relationships with, and be recognized by, building leaders. In response to this need to feel visible, staff organizers worked to coordinate a meet and greet opportunity that brought building leaders and students together The event took a turn towards advocacy as student attendees urged that their experiences and identities be centered in the district’s ongoing work to create an equitable school environment.
With staff involvement on the rise, the Abilities Community looks forward to hosting a fall awareness week that includes a day-long event and various workshops open to all students and educators who seek to learn with their peers
Looking Ahead: The Social Consciousness Series
The 2023-24 Social Consciousness Series will be a robust year of programming organized by students and educators Because of the labor of the Black and Brown women who voluntarily carry this work year-round, the community can look forward to the student summits, Abilities Awareness Week, an Antiracist Student Workshop, a residency experience with Calvin Terrell, and programming centering the contemporary and historical experience of our Indigenous relatives We encourage the district to continue making tangible investments in the sustainability of this radical work that ETHS is nationally acknowledged for in a climate where many educators feel burdened and underappreciated.
Staff Spaces of Connection, Development, and Antiracist Work
District 202 Board Retreat
Facilitated by Ganae McAlpin-Toney, Director of Equity
The board retreat was an invigorating experience. Board members were asked to explore the ways in which the White Supremacy Cultural Characteristics show up in their lives Members also discussed the definition of Racial Equity and the journey it takes to do this “work.”
International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP) Training
Facilitated by Sarah Barbour and Shermont Fox, Restorative Practice Facilitators and Consultants
More than 135 staff members participated in the 2-day Foundations of Restorative Practices training facilitated by the International Institute of Restorative Practices (IIRP) With a vision of expanding this learning to all staff to move our restorative initiatives forward, seven staff members participated in a 3-day intensive Train the Trainer series that certifies them to lead this professional development in the district
Building Leadership Team (BLT) Retreat and Monthly Meetings: August 2022 - May 2023
Facilitated by Ganae McAlpin-Toney, ETHS Director of Equity
The focus for the BLT was building their equity mindset We revisited the purpose and how to utilize the Courageous Conversations about Race conditions and protocol. We also explored the White Supremacy Cultural Characteristics and how they impact our work here at ETHS Participants were asked to reflect on their own words and actions
Radical Reading Circle
Book: Ratchetdemic: Reimagining Academic Success by Dr Christopher Emdin
The Radical Reading Circle was created collectively and organically. Members read the book Rachetdemic. Every other Tuesday after school a group of 8-15 women met in the Literacy Lab and discussed the themes of this book We focused on ways in which we can use this text to bring about change within our school community
Racial Equity Team, Teachers Union
Co Chaired by Dr. Marla Isaacs and Dr. Taya Kinzie, ETHS Science Educator and Assistant Superintendent/Principal
This team includes selected membership from the Teachers Council (TC). All racial caucuses are represented on this team Members of the Administration are on this committee, as well The purpose of this team is to ensure a school and work environment wherein ETHS is: (1) centering the voices of BIPOC students and staff in school policy creation, (2) considering the impacts of school policies on BIPOC students and staff, and (3) considering the barriers to policies that create more equitable outcomes
Talking Circles with Dr. Taya Kinzie, September 2022 - April 2023
Dr Taya Kinzie organized talking circles that invited all staff members to connect and share their experiences. These spaces were offered ten times throughout the school year during lunch periods and after school. Established by Dr. Marcus Campbell in 2022-23, this feedback mechanism continues to provide important real-time information that allows the management team to assess the impact of school policies and wellbeing As they also illuminate opportunities to strengthen district efforts as they relate to the four strategic priorities, talking circles will continue to be held during the 2023-24 school year
District Equity Leadership Team (DELT) September 2022-May 2023
Facilitated by Devon Alexander, Racial Equity Coach
Facilitated by Devon Alexander, the D202 District Equity Leadership Team spent the 2022-23 school year preparing to lead the implementation of Equity Learning Time DELT members also problem solved and supported each other in navigating experiences in a justice centered way.
District Antiracist Working Group (DAWG) September 2022 - May 2023
Facilitated by Lauren Hamilton and Ganae McAlpin-Toney, ETHS Equity Analyst and Director of Equity
The focus of the District Antiracist Working Group this year was to prepare members for leading the schoolwide Equity Learning Teams being implemented as part of the 2023-24 professional development learning schedule DAWG members strengthened their antiracist facilitation skills and prepared to model authenticity and vulnerability in community with colleagues next year.
Student Facing Programs and Partnerships
LGBTQIA+ Lunch Space
Facilitated by Quinton Clemons, ETHS History Educator
Supported by Dr. Taya Kinzie, Assistant Superintendent/Principal
Responding to student needs for additional affinity spaces, LGBTQIA+ educators established “Qrunch”, a lunchtime opportunity for students to connect and eat together Qrunch was held each Tuesday and Thursday during Lunch 1 and 2. It was hosted by Quinton Clemons and supported by additional staff members as needs arose throughout the school year. “The Cook Out,” a lunch space for Black and Brown students in the LGBTQIA+ community, was hosted every Monday
Black, Brown + Breathing Healing Series
Facilitated by Taylor Mason Co-Founder, Black, Brown + Breathing Engagement: 150+ unique students across 7 sessions; 2 Staff Offerings Black, Brown + Breathing (BBB) was established in the summer of 2020 by DuShaun Branch and Taylor Mason to provide a space for Black & Brown folks throughout Chicago to gather, breathe, grieve, and celebrate in community during the height of pandemic, uprising, anti-Black violence and economic strife Taylor returned to ETHS this year to provide monthly activations that centered art, dialogue, and worldbuilding in response to student need for trauma informed care. A BIPOC staff space was held as a means to provide space for rest and somatic work as part of this year’s series A session on creating culturally rich and responsive spaces open to all staff members was held, as well.
SHADES Mentorship Group for Black Girls
Coordinated by Ganae McAlpin-Toney and Lauren Hamilton, Director of Equity and ETHS Equity Analyst
This group was created by Black women for Black girls at ETHS. The purpose of SHADES is to build community among the Black women and girls at ETHS Several lunch gatherings were held to create time for fellowship The vision of this new program will be built collaboratively by educators and students.
Looking Ahead for 2023-24
We are encouraged by this year’s successes and are eager to continue this vital work next school year. All of the initiatives described in this report will continue in 2023-24. Additionally, we are excited to add ELTs (Equity Learning Time) for all staff, with curriculum designed to prioritize and manifest the district’s equity goals and make ETHS a more welcoming, nurturing, and equitable place for all staff and students