By Sharonne Navas We are plagued by binary thinking, always putting things in terms of two options that are mutually exclusive. That is, all the possibilities are either option A or option B and not both. Sometimes this is valid, but often it is a mistaken simplification. For instance: •Equity/Equality …

Local Seattle billionaire and philanthropist Nick Hanauer’s piece in the Atlantic, Better Public Schools Won’t Fix America, has so many great points; points that are particularly resonant coming from a 1 percenter. Yes, more millionaires and billionaires should be shouting TAX ME! …

By Reneeka Massey-Jones Let’s start off with the definition of decolonizing education. Decolonization is “the dismantling of colonial systems that were established during the period of time when a nation maintains dominion over dependent territories.” I know you are thinking… wait what? Territories? Dominions? What does that have to do…

By Sharonne Navas Whether it’s ancestry.com, MyHeritage DNA or 23andMe, taking ancestry determination tests have grown more and more popular each year. I think it’s fascinating that for a country that is constantly denying our racist and colonialistic history, we sure are quick to find out what kind of “immigrant”…

By Sharonne Navas Organizational Leaders and HR folx — we need to talk. In the past four months, I have gotten about 15 requests from HR directors and Board Leaders to meet and talk about openings at their organizations and how they can get more people of color to apply…

Hey girl! My name is Risa, I’m also a white lady, and I think we should talk about racism. The truth is that a lot of well-meaning white women, even those of us who have #BlackLivesMatter yard signs and voted for Obama, traumatize people of color on a daily basis…

By Sharonne Navas When I first heard “Office of DEI,” I’m going to be honest, I had to ask someone what that meant. Sadly, I realized that something as important as Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity had become yet *another* cup of alphabet soup. Here’s my problem with “DEI” as an…

By Reneeka Massey-Jones I am a young black woman concerned for the future of our teachers and students of color. I attended a predominantly white college in the State of Washington. …

By Sharonne Navas People have asked if I would ever run for office — really only a few people but it still makes me think about it. Would I be allowed to use my identity in order to win an election? In 2008, I would have embraced running as a…