Diversity

D-E Statement On Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, And Belonging (DEIB): Values, Vision, Commitment 2023

A Message from Head of School Jeremy Gregersen: Announcing Dr. Marcus Ingram, New Director of DEIB

May 25, 2023

I am pleased to announce Marcus Ingram, Ph.D., as our new Director of DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging).

Dr. Ingram was selected after an extensive search process, in which the field was extremely competitive with candidates from the US as well as overseas. Together with our DEIB Search Committee, I came to the conclusion that Dr. Ingram was the most qualified of all our candidates, in particular given his breadth of relevant experience, holistic perspective, and overall character traits. I cannot think of a better 'fit' for someone to address the many opportunities inherent in the complexities and nuances of DEIB work. This sentiment was further confirmed after receiving feedback to Dr. Ingram's recent campus visit as a finalist candidate, during which he met with students, parents, faculty, and administrators.

Currently serving as Head of Equity & Inclusion at the Greenhill School (Addison, TX), Dr. Ingram has had years of engagement and other administrative experience both domestically and abroad. Dr. Ingram holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education from the University of Virginia as well as a Master of Divinity from Wake Forest University (Winston-Salem, NC). To learn more about Dr. Ingram's background please click here.

Happy Pride from D-E!

Pride Month is here! Students and faculty decorated the Campus Center-Leggett Skybridge in celebration of this month. June is Pride Month because many LGBTQ+ historical events like the legalization of gay marriage in the U.S. happened in June. Happy Pride Month from us here at D-E!

Dwight-Englewood School is "...a community of learners [that] strives to foster in each student a passion for life-long learning. We seek excitement, honor integrity, and embrace diversity in order to develop the skills, values, and courage to meet the challenges of a changing world and make it better." Our Statement on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging: Values, Vision Commitment 2023 (click here) affirms the vibrant diversity and the presence of people of numerous social identity groups in our school. Our school-wide work in equity and diversity moves us more deeply towards full inclusion for all.
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DEIB at D-E | MS Diversity Day 2023

It’s Diversity Day here in the Middle School!—and with that a day of special programming. We started the day off with an experiential presentation with Dr. Michael “Mykee” Fowlin, a clinical psychologist, actor, and poet. Dr. Fowlin brought us on a storytelling journey about combating bias and cultivating empathy with lively characters! The day was filled with workshops like making Mexican hojalata art, making dumplings from around the world, and learning about disability justice and activism.

We ended the day on Graham Field to celebrate Holi, the Hindu festival of colors! Stay tuned for photos from Upper and Middle School celebrations.

LEAD | Dialogue Dinner 2023

Since its first year at D-E, the “Leaders for Equity and Diversity” (LEAD) Program has grown into an opportunity for students to not only encourage diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within the school community, but also a space for idea-sharing and conversations among peers. Specifically through “Dialogue Dinners”, which occurs three times a year, LEAD is creating an environment where students listen to each other and are “invested in the conversation.

DEIB @ D-E: AAPI Month Assembly 2023

From myths to music, D-E’s Upper School East Asian Affinity hosted an assembly dedicated to Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month today. Members led students through a quick game of True or False, where myths were busted – accompanied by the ringing of a gong and bell. Through the questions, presenters dived into the history of prejudice against Asian Americans, Asians in Hollywood, and college admissions for those of Asian heritage.

Next, East Asian Affinity faculty advisor Mr. Joel Lee further spoke about the implications of Asian representation in politics and media, the simultaneous rise of Asian hate, and his reconnection with his Korean heritage. Leader Sasha Rhee ’23 followed Mr. Lee and revealed the significant role East Asian Affinity played in defining her high school years at D-E. The assembly ended with a rendition of “Every Summertime” by Niki. Thank you, East Asian Affinity, for the inspiring and educational assembly!

DEIB @ D-E: Batala New York Celebrates Black History Month

We had the joyous pleasure of having Batalá NYC, a premiere all-women, Black-led, Afro-Brazilian percussion ensemble come to campus this morning. All three divisions enjoyed a morning of booming percussion and lively dancing. Pictured are photos from the Upper and Lower School performances.

Our Director of Social and Emotional Learning, Lisa Wittner, is a proud member of the drumming ensemble, and the whole community felt enlivened to participate. Dancers in white also brought on willing audience members to the front, leading them in dance steps and even cartwheels! The morning offered a feel-good opportunity to shake it out and a wonderful way to usher in the first day of Black History Month. Thank you to Batalá NYC for an incredible morning!

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D-E prides itself on following through its mission to "embrace diversity" by being a welcoming, inclusive and equitable institution for students and adults across race-ethnicity-culture, gender, socioeconomic status, religion, and sexual orientation. Reflective of the rich diversity of our school community, our equity-diversity initiatives educate, expose, and enlighten us, encouraging us into dialogue across our differences and commonalities.

Student, educator and parental involvement and collaboration are critical in our special multicultural, multi-identity community. Our Upper School and Middle School students have opportunities to be active in conversations, numerous clubs and groups focused on diversity dialogue. We offer our students diversity leadership training at school and at local, regional and national conferences and workshops. Parent Affinity Groups (click here) are active at school, offering events and celebrations of cultural communities. In the Lower, Middle and Upper Schools our students' awareness and appreciation for diversity is encouraged through the academic curriculum, and through division-wide assemblies and programs recognizing a range of cultures and identities, along with opportunities to reflect on community-diversity matters. The School also shares messages and statements regarding DEIB initiatives as they pertain to our mission and core values; as one example please click here for an Open Letter to the Community (June 2020).

The ultimate goal of our DEIB initiatives is to support the mission of the School and to foster learning and engagement in matters of equity inclusion for all members of the D-E community.

For more information about D-E initiatives pertaining to diversity, please Email Dr. Gene Batiste, Assistant Head of School for Engagement, at: batisg@d-e.org