Services

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Custom Design Services

“Students bring a critical lens to the world as they study historical and contemporary conditions of inequity and learn from historically marginalized voices. Students learn about power and privilege in the context of various communities and are empowered as agents of positive social change.” Culturally Responsive Sustaining Framework, NYS Ed.gov

Dr. Jones partners with districts to design a DEI action plan specific to their needs. During the initial consult and ongoing discussion, she discusses the important elements of DEI work and helps organizations build and sustain a welcoming and affirming environment, one that fosters high expectations and implements an inclusive curriculum.  Essential components in developing a comprehensive DEI plan of action include:  

• understanding bias and its impact on personal actions, instructional practice, school traditions and system’s policies
• gaining insight into the lived experiences of people of color and the intersectionality with other marginalized groups
• studying critical frameworks and auditing current curriculum and daily practices through an equity lens; establishing protocols for collecting and studying data to inform questions of equity
• reviewing recruitment and hiring practices to attract and retain a diverse staff
• supporting educators and district leaders as they implement culturally responsive practices. 

Schedule an initial consultation by contacting Dr. Jones.

Elevating Student Voices, Becoming Agents of Social Change

“…great learning happens when both teachers and students explore the limits of their own understanding through rigorous discussion.  We have long known that students given the opportunity to speak and listen take more responsibility for their interpretations, retain these interpretations longer, and develop agility of mind.” Matthew R. Kay,  Not Light But Fire

Dr. Jones partners with high schools to create opportunities for students from across multiple school districts to come together multiple times to discuss critical issues around race, equity, mental health and wellness, and the power of social media. They learn about life experiences different from their own as they continue to seek understanding, respect for and appreciation of others. Students are trained to become discussion facilitation leaders. A culminating youth summit will expose students to local, regional, and national speakers, celebrate current activities and share future plans to engage student voices in home districts.

Contact Dr. Eva Jones if you would like to:

• Give high school students from different districts an opportunity to interact with each other multiple times throughout the year to discuss critical issues around race, equity, mental health and wellness. 
• Expose students to perspectives and life experiences different from their own as they continue to seek understanding, respect for, and appreciation for others. 
• Give students an opportunity to build capacity as discussion leaders and create action plans for their schools.
• Give adults an opportunity to listen in on the perspectives of young people.
• Expose students to local, regional, national speakers at a culminating Engaging Voices Summit.

Inclusive Libraries

“Libraries should approach racial equity and other types of EDI work not as an end but as a practice, understanding that racial equity work is an iterative process during which we are re-learning, re-envisioning, and rebuilding.” American Library Association

Embracing diversity is essential in creating a welcoming and thriving library environment. It is important for library staff to look inward to better understand their personal bias,  and to look outward to consider the library environment through a culturally responsive lens. Professional development will explore the value of cultural differences and come to understand intended and unintended microaggressions that cause harm to library staff and the overall environment. Interactive sessions will examine the call to action from the ALA and the ACRL Diversity Standards and participants will develop action plans and implementation strategies for immediate use. Topics will include: