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Kindred is excited to announce our second cohort of graduating schools! Following three or more years of partnership, Amidon-Bowen ES, E.L. Haynes PCS, Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom PCS, Garrison ES, and Miner ES are now part of our alumni network of schools. To the caregivers, staff, and leaders of these schools, thank you for your commitment to cultivating a sense of belonging and advancing educational equity and racial justice within your communities. And, thank you for helping us grow, learn, and improve our work through our partnerships with you. We’re excited to stay connected with you as Kindred alums!

Below are just a few highlights of our meaningful partnerships with these valued partner schools:

Celebrating our Graduates

None of the work we’ve highlighted above would be possible without the relentless commitment and true partnership of the leaders of each of these schools. We extend our deepest gratitude to these leaders and their amazing teams. To: TaMikka Sykes and Naima Richardson of Amidon-Bowen; Brittany Wagner-Friel and Rick Kenner of E.L. Haynes; Erika Bryant, Bobby Caballero and Ana Maria Donado of E.W. Stokes; Brigham Kiplinger and Dawnica Green of Garrison; and, Bruce Jackson and Antwan Lee of Miner, we thank you and your incredible school communities for our years of partnership. And, we are thrilled to stay abreast of the ways you will sustain and catalyze the impactful work we began together.

One year later: Kindred’s first Parent Advisory Council

Last summer, Kindred launched its inaugural Parent Advisory Council (PAC) with ten members who spent the year engaging in workshops to build upon their understanding of the D.C. education landscape and grow their advocacy skills. PAC caregivers also unleashed the power of their personal stories by reflecting on their racial identity journeys and sharing their experiences to inspire others to join their efforts as equity warriors. Many congrats and much gratitude to this amazing cohort!

Please allow us to reintroduce ourselves 🙂

After nearly a year and a half of working remotely, the Kindred team came together in real life for a late spring (vaccinated!) get-together. We were energized and grateful to be in the same physical space and to break bread together, and we look forward to opportunities to gather in person with the greater Kindred community in the months to come.

We are also excited to announce a new approach to our school-based roles! Our Facilitator & Organizer position has been split into Senior Partnership Strategists (SPS) and Facilitators & Organizers (F/O). The SPS serves as a strategic advisor to caregivers, school staff, and leadership, as they collaborate to advance racial equity in the school. The F/O serves as the relationship supporter for participants and alumni, ensuring everyone feels a sense of belonging in their group, and that all voices are elevated in the work and community.

Congrats to two of our amazing team members for taking on the new Senior Partnership Strategist role! Meet them (anew!) below:

And, here’s a bit about our Senior Operations and Communications Associate, Director of National Programs and Special Projects, and Director of Systemic Impact:

Look out for introductions to our incoming team members in our fall newsletter!

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