At KIPP SoCal, our commitment to anti-racism and educational equity goes beyond rhetoric; it translates into action.
The Equity Ambassador Program, launched in the 2023-24 school year, is a groundbreaking two-year leadership initiative designed to dismantle systemic inequities in schools and foster inclusive, anti-racist environments where all students can thrive.
An Equity Ambassador is a school-based leader, such as a dean, teacher, or school-based support staff, committed to identifying and addressing the root causes of inequity on their campus. Their goal is to disrupt the conditions perpetuating systemic issues by redesigning them to reflect KIPP SoCal's mission of creating anti-racist learning environments to help students thrive holistically.
This first-of-its-kind program empowers school-based leaders to lead change collaboratively, ensuring that accountability and transformation are shared responsibilities.
Program Goals
In the 2023-2024 school year, our Equity Ambassadors tackled the critical challenge of biased language and cultures in our schools. They launched Root Cause Problem of Practice Projects, focusing on three key objectives:
- Eradicate Biased Language: Disrupt and eliminate slurs and biased language that create hostile learning environments.
- Dismantle Systemic Barriers: Address and dismantle systemic barriers to inclusivity, ensuring equitable access to education.
- Foster Anti-Racist Change: Promote and sustain anti-racist change, cultivating a culture of inclusivity, respect, and empathy
Our Approach
Our Equity Ambassador program is built upon the Transformational Model that offers a step-by-step guide to strategically disrupting and transforming systems of inequity. The model is grounded on:
- Collaboration: Shared accountability model replaces traditional top-down methods
- Anti-Racism: Anti-oppression, anti-racism principles and practices
- Collective Responsibility: Everyone drives change
- Decentralized Leadership: Beyond senior leadership
- This model empowers our ambassadors to:
- Expose Inequity: Identify key data points
- Design Solutions: Develop targeted interventions
- Drive Change: Collaborate for systemic impact
Ambassadors use this model to analyze data, uncover root causes of inequities, and design targeted interventions. By grounding their work in specific data points, they create impactful Problem-of-Practice projects that lead to systemic transformation.
A Year of Impact
Year 1 of the program has provided valuable evidence of the power of anti-racist leadership in transforming school environments. Through data collection and analysis, our Equity Ambassadors have demonstrated a measurable impact in addressing biases and fostering inclusivity. As the program continues to evolve, our ability to showcase the transformative power of this work will grow, further highlighting the critical role of equity-focused leadership in creating positive change.
We want to take a moment to honor and celebrate the impactful work of our inaugural cohort of Equity Ambassadors from KIPP Comienza Community Prep, KIPP Iluminar Academy, KIPP Philosophers Academy, KIPP Promesa Prep, and KIPP Raíces Academy.
Through their dedication and leadership, these five ambassadors have paved the way for a collaborative, shared accountability model, replacing traditional top-down approaches to education reform.
Leading with Equity: Inaugural Cohort Reflections
Dr. Joanne-Christine Espejo | Teacher, KIPP Promesa Prep
"My involvement with the equity ambassadors has helped me be brave in naming the inequity issue and sharing it with staff. As a self-identified people-pleaser, I have issues with holding uncomfortable conversations and making individuals or organizations see me in a negative view. I learned that this work is hard because it forces me and others to be reflective on how inequity issues are present on the school-wide level and how it has negatively impacted minority groups. My people-pleasing side wants to communicate this through a culture of niceness, which is not how we change mindsets nor change inequitable systems. By becoming more brave, I have overcome my desire for people to like me and have replaced it with an ethic of care mixed with courage.”
Heidi Fernandez | Resource Case Manager, KIPP Raices
“I definitely improved my active listening skills because to change people's minds, they have to trust you. Understanding their perspective and concerns helped me build rapport and lay down the foundations for the trust needed for them to be receptive to my perspective and concerns. This will help us be able to collaborate more effectively.”
Jocelyn Garcia | Dean, KIPP Iluminar
“When you have lots of love and pride for the school you are serving, it is hard to acknowledge that there is a lot of growth to make, especially when it comes to anti-blackness. However, if this issue is not addressed, we are not making changes how we need to. I know that I have a lot of growth to do as an advocate, but that is a skill that I have begun to practice more often: advocate and speak up when needed.”
Jaron Roberson | Dean, KIPP Philosophers
“Engaging in the work with the equity ambassadors has significantly bolstered my confidence and competence in addressing bias by grounding my arguments in evidence and providing constructive feedback; I was able to foster a productive discussion that ultimately led to greater awareness and actionable steps toward creating a more inclusive learning environment.”
Kiara Gordon | Dean, KIPP Comienza Upper School
“I've developed explicit skills like addressing issues directly to encourage growth and navigate important conversations, gaining a practical understanding of anti-racism in action, and sharpening my ability to identify areas of need quickly. These newfound abilities have deeply shaped how I engage with others, making me more attuned, empathetic, and committed to inclusivity.”
Looking Ahead
The achievements of our Equity Ambassadors in Year 1 are only the beginning. Their dedication and leadership have paved the way for a new era of equitable education at KIPP SoCal. In Year 2, we remain committed to building on these successes, expanding our impact, and continuing the journey toward dismantling systemic inequities in our schools.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to share the powerful stories and outcomes of the Equity Ambassador Program. Together, we can ensure that every student is seen, heard, and valued, paving the way for a brighter and more equitable future.