Too often, consulting groups try to solve the challenges schools and other youth-oriented organizations face — without talking to the kids themselves.
Partnering with Sonoma County Office of Education, Goodist Creative and I helped explore how students of color feel about the state of racism and racist policies in their schools. Aided by hours of zoom-based conversations, I analyzed and compiled facts and anecdotal data to report on where students feel schools in Sonoma County fall short in their equity policies and practices. Then, we produced a series of insights and recommendations for school districts and schools themselves should implement to both improve the experiences of all students, and ensure students of color enjoy all the same opportunities and possibilities that their caucasian counterparts do.
Ensuring the report didn’t end up lost in a sea of emails or stack of papers, we produced a website version that outlined the report highlights, and produced communications recommendations to get the word out.
I was thrilled to be part of this project; using the powers of listening with intention, researching with fervor, and centering constituents rather than administrators, SonomaStudentVoices.org led to new policy outcomes, led by the Office of Education that oversees multiple districts and 66,000+ students.
To view the followup report showcasing action resulting from the Student Voices Forums, click here >