Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Belonging (DEIJB)

Vision
 

Doane Academy prepares our bold and brave students, faculty, and staff to face challenges associated with re-imagining a truly diverse, equitable, inclusive, just environment.

Mission

The DEIJB leadership team provides resources and opportunities for our community members to build and strengthen their anti-biased and anti-racist competencies so they are prepared to recognize and address issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in the Doane Academy community and their daily lives.

Our DEIJB Plan

  • Improve responsive communication regarding issues and initiatives pertaining to diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and belonging to members of the Doane community. 
  • Support the faculty and staff with understanding and acting upon the principles of anti-biased and anti-racist practices in and outside of the classroom environment.
  • Engage and inform the collective student body on questions of diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and belonging to support students' personal journeys toward cultural competency, anti-biased, and anti-racist behaviors and practices. 

DEIB Faculty Leadership 

Colleen McCormick, Upper School DEIB Coordinator 
Nicole Johnson, Middle School DEIB Coordinator 
Claudia Buszko, Lower School DEIB Coordinator
Jarred Williams, Dean of Student Life

Guest speakers 

Each year we aim to bring in diverse voices to share about their cultures, experiences, activism, and more! Here is a selection of guest speakers from the past year: 
 

  • Indigenous Peoples' Month: two members of the Lenape Nation joined us to share about the Tribal Nation and their history in Southern New Jersey (where our school sits). They shared some traditions and stories both verbal and in print. 

  

  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service: Malicka Barro ‘16 joined us to share about her time since graduating from Doane, the creation of her non-profit to support girls in her home country, Côte d'Ivoire, and her small business, a spice company.  


  • Black History Month: Adreinne Waheed, author and photographer of Black Joy & Resistance, shared about her upbringing and the processes by which she took photos and selected certain ones for publication.


  • Black History Month: Wesley Wofford, national sculptor, who sculpted the Journey to Freedom statue of Harriet Tubman, among other historical statues, spoke to our upper and middle school students. As a White man, he spoke about his role in an industry that doesn't have a lot of Black presence and the steps he took to properly honor Tubman and other historical People of Color. 


  • Women's History Month: Dr. Kimberly Hamlin, Professor of History and Global and Intercultural Studies (Miami University of Ohio), spoke about the history of Women's History Month and highlighted some important moments and figures for the movement throughout time. 


  • Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger and Khalil Sayegh, of the Roots Organization, spoke with students about the history of conflict between Palestinians and Israelis and the work they do to pacify those relations. 

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Affinity, Awareness, and Accountability (AAA) Spaces and Student Groups 

AAA Spaces provide students with the opportunity to learn, grow, and reflect with members of a shared identity. Currently, the following spaces, groups, and clubs are available for students to partake in; these are subject to change based on student demand:
 
Race/Ethnicity
International Learners
Black and African American 
AAPI (Asian American, South Asian, Pacific Islander) 
Latinx and Hispanic
White Awareness and Accountability 

Ability 
Neurodivergence
Physical Disability
 
Religion
Christian
Muslim
Jewish
Hindu
Buddhist
Atheist, Agnostic, Non-Religious
 
Gender/Sex/Sexuality
LGBTQIA+
Women's Space

Other available spaces and clubs
Silent Reflection and Meditation Space
Intersectional Identities Space
Spanish Club 
American Sign Language Club