Greetings, Dragon Nation! Today I would like to bring you all up to speed on the efforts that have been made by so many to address the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) issues here at MLWGS. Much of this work began a few years ago but gained a sense of urgency during the summer of 2020. The administration has failed to communicate these efforts to our student body as well as the MLWGS community, but I am hoping that this message is a start to set things right.

Prior Efforts

• 2015- Maggie Walker Bust Project

• 2015–Freshman Booster Camp

• 2016- English and Social Studies dept Professional Development (PD) on Civil Rights in Richmond (Walking Tours)

• 2016–Peer Mentors activities and field trips on cultural awareness–Bow Tie Cinema (Hidden Figures, Race, Loving, Selma), Black History Museum in Washington, DC

• 2017- Partnership with Higher Achievement

• 2018–Freshman field trip to Maggie Walker National Historic Site and walking tour of Jackson-Ward

• 2018- Canon Creek Greenway project for all Freshmen

• 2019- Maggie Walker Mural Project

• 2020- Strategic plan includes language on inclusive environments and underserved populations for the first time

• 2021- Black History Month Assembly led by SAC students

Efforts in 2021-2022

• Ranger Ajena Rogers from MW House speaks at Freshman Orientation, leads bus tour for Department Chairs of Jackson Ward

• Removal of the Achievement Test as a part of the assessment of applicants

• Regional School Board approved changes in November 2021

• Changes implemented with assessments given on 30 January 2022

• PD partnership with VCU office of strategic engagement related to cultural awareness

• First year of two-year cultural competency initiative for faculty

• Student committee (and related survey) organized by SAC

• Leadership team’s summer reading: Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain

• Pilot program of Dragon Dialogues, an experience that helps 9th graders connect with a classmate from a different school division than theirs

• Addition of active listening (or listening to understand) to curriculum of FIRC Speech, so that each incoming 9th grader has some practice with this skill

• Special edition of The Jabberwock Project 1937

• Earlier start time to Fall Festival

• Redistribution of MW memorabilia, better lighting, labeling of mural and signage

• Interviewed Edwin Colwin at Collegiate about roles and responsibilities of a DEI officer at St. Christopher’s

• Offering African American History course and African American Literature Seminar

• “How to be an Anti-Racist” book study by Counseling Dept.

• Revive Asian Assembly as multicultural showcase

• Upcoming walking tour of Jackson Ward for spring faculty PD

• Working with owner of Kuba-Kuba to relate his experiences as a LatinX business owner and the importance of food to the LatinX community.

• The English Dept and the Global Studies Dept are having dialogue on how to reshape curriculum to include more non-imperialist pieces and history.

• Changes to distribution of admission slots in CCPS, RPS, HCPS

• Monthly reports to Regional School Board on progress on strategic plan

As one can see, we have accomplished much in DEI; however, there is so much more to do. I will continue to use this forum to update the community on all our efforts. Thanks again to The Jabberwock for allowing me to stay connected with you. Until next time, stay safe, stay strong, and go dragons!