Despite the Best Intentions Equity Education Series
District 65 parents, guardians, and staff were mobilized for next steps following a one-time event at Nichols Middle School in which Dr. John Diamond and Dr. Amanda Lewis presented about their book, Despite the Best Intentions: How Racial Inequality Thrives in Good Schools. The Next Steps education and action series was born the following fall and a year of programming was created around the same book. The authors returned to facilitate four discussions centered on the concepts of opportunity hoarding and how to move from “my” child to “our” children. In addition, Nichols Principal Harries and Assistant Principal Seldess presented a Mythbusting session about District 65 data, and the series concluded with a powerful panel discussion of District 65 board member, staff, and parents.
More details on the 6-part series are available on our #DespiteTheBestIntentions calendar.
The Despite the Best Intentions series was sponsored by a grant from Evanston Community Foundation. In addition, Nichols, Dewey, Washington, and Lincoln PTA funds supported the program.