40+ free online resources to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion at home and school

By Tracey Gaughran

At a time when books about the Holocaust and Black enslavement are being challenged in schools across the United States, we share these resources promoting equity, inclusion, and diversity as a dissenting counterpoint — one that recognizes the cruelty and injustices of the past, and elevates diverse, once-silenced voices.

· Celebrate women’s progress toward equal rights with this review of the suffrage movement from Schoolhouse Rock. https://youtu.be/pFOieRHRzh8

· A deaf student at the University of Dundee created over 100 new sign language terms to communicate and learn about science. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-49057331

· Learn more about Black inventors Alexander Miles, Charles Richard Drew, Marie Van Brittan Brown, Shirley Ann Jackson, Mark E. Dean, and their world-changing inventions — from blood banks to color computer monitors. https://youtu.be/vOKnOW7CLNQ

· Learn more about the accomplishments and contributions of iconic LGBTQ scientists from Sir Francis Bacon to Sally Ride. https://www.discovery.com/science/LGBT-Scientists-Who-Changed-World

· These books for all ages — from preschoolers to teens — offer positive and relatable portrayals of LGBTQ+ characters and their experiences. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/lgbtq-books

· A fantastic talk from autism activist Temple Grandin on the benefits of neurodiversity and why the world needs those who think differently. https://youtu.be/fn_9f5x0f1Q

· Investigate the Black origins of popular and traditional music with this curated collection of resources dating from the 18th century to the present day. https://blackmusiclibrary.com/Library

· “Role Models Who Look Like Me” shares the stories of important Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who made history. https://vimeo.com/414965399

· An excellent list of videos parents can watch with their kids explaining the roots of racism, its manifestations, and how to become antiracist. https://www.therenewalproject.com/7-videos-that-help-explain-racism-and-how-to-be-anti-racist/

· This stunning interactive article uses 3-D modeling to bring Tulsa’s Greenwood neighborhood to life as it was before the 1921 race massacre. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/05/24/us/tulsa-race-massacre.html

· Free pop art posters celebrating pioneering women scientists, including Marie Curie, Ada Lovelace, and more! https://insidetheperimeter.ca/forces-of-nature-great-women-who-changed-science/

· Explore the rich and complex history of Black America through images, video, historical documents, and articles from the U.S. National Archives. https://www.archives.gov/research/african-americans

· This book for ages 5+ can help parents start a conversation with kids about what racism is, how it makes others feel, and how to spot it when it happens. https://youtu.be/LnaltG5N8nE

· A stunning multiyear Black history project designed to piece together “crucial events and conversations that have been intentionally left out of America’s narrative.” https://www.theatlantic.com/inheritance/

· Learn more about the life and accomplishments of escaped slave, Black liberator, and American icon Harriet Tubman. https://youtu.be/Dv7YhVKFqbQ

· Explore photo galleries, videos, virtual tours of museums, and reflections on Black history and culture with this online collection compiled by Google. https://artsandculture.google.com/project/black-history-and-culture

· A fantastic resource from the Seattle Times that tells the story of Martin Luther King Jr. in words and images, and offers reflections on his legacy from politicians, activists, and ordinary citizens. https://projects.seattletimes.com/mlk/index.html

· From James Baldwin to Lori Lightfoot, here are 12 black LGBTQ icons who made history. https://www.insider.com/black-lgbtq-icons-throughout-history-2021-2

· Learn more about the history of Asian Americans and the role they’ve played in shaping our nation through this Peabody Award-winning five-part series from PBS. https://mpt.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/asian-americans-full-film-video-gallery/asian-americans/

· Disabilities didn’t stop these 12 science icons from making history. https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/87068/12-disabled-scientists-who-made-world-better-place

· Learn how to properly use gender identity terms, including pronouns, with this glossary created in partnership with GLAAD. https://www.npr.org/2021/06/02/996319297/gender-identity-pronouns-expression-guide-lgbtq

· The podcast “Be Antiracist with Ibram X. Kendi” builds on the antiracist foundations laid by the historian’s excellent bestselling book “How To Be An Antiracist.” https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-antiracist-with-ibram-x-kendi/id1564144316

· Learn more about Juneteenth and how to celebrate it with kids through books, videos, and other online resources. https://www.weareteachers.com/teaching-juneteenth/

· A terrific collection of antiracism resources for parents, allies, and BIPOC curated by Harvard University Arts and Sciences faculty. https://projects.iq.harvard.edu/antiracismresources

· A simple animated explainer suitable for kids that discusses gender identity and how to use pronouns correctly. https://youtu.be/J3Fh60GEB5E

· An excellent list of videos parents can watch with their kids that explain the roots of racism, its manifestations, and how to become antiracist. https://www.therenewalproject.com/7-videos-that-help-explain-racism-and-how-to-be-anti-racist/

· Research shows that far from being harmless and benign, racial microaggressions have a profound and long-lasting impact on their targets. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/microaggressions-death-by-a-thousand-cuts/

· Learn more about the history of Korean immigration to America since 1903 with this concise overview from Boston University’s Boston Korean Diaspora Project. https://sites.bu.edu/koreandiaspora/issues/history-of-korean-immigration-to-america-from-1903-to-present/

· Experts agree: it’s never too early to talk to kids about race and racism. https://www.parentmap.com/article/how-talk-young-children-about-race-and-racism

· An overview of the dark history of racially fueled book burning, and why — as Heinrich Heine writes — “Where they burn books, they will also ultimately burn people.” https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/book-burning

· Explore the history, meaning, and practice of anti-racism — and why it’s crucial for parents to teach kids about race and anti-racism. https://www.vox.com/2020/6/3/21278245/antiracist-racism-race-books-resources-antiracism

· A fascinating look at LGBTQ+ influences in the rich history and culture of the Harlem Renaissance. https://time.com/6104381/lgbtq-history-harlem-renaissance/

· Celebrate black voices with this fantastic collection of videos featuring readings by, and conversations about, notable Black poets. https://www.africanamericanpoetry.org/media-library

· Introducing kids to social justice themes from an early age has many benefits. Here are our tips for starting the discussion at home. https://medium.com/brightnow/teaching-kids-about-social-justice-dos-and-donts-d9fd1b190091

· Watch “Hair Love” — a moving, Oscar-winning short animated film about the relationship between a Black father, his daughter, and her hair. https://youtu.be/kNw8V_Fkw28

· Jerry Lawson, a pioneering Black figure in the early video game industry, developed the first home console that used interchangeable cartridges. https://www.engadget.com/2015-02-20-jerry-lawson-game-pioneer.html

· A fascinating look at how racial and other kinds of biases impact algorithms and computer systems that many of us use every day. https://youtu.be/Ok5sKLXqynQ

· Crystal Valentine’s breathtaking reading of her poem “Black Privilege” at the 2015 College Union Poetry Slam Invitational. https://youtu.be/7rYL83kHQ8Y

· Learn about Bessie “Queen Bess” Coleman, who in the 1920s became the first African American, and the first Native American, woman pilot. https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/bessie-coleman

· A lesson plan for teaching Amanda Gorman’s stirring poem “The Hill We Climb.” https://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/lessons-plans/lesson-plan-discuss-22-year-old-amanda-gormans-inaugural-poem-the-miracle-morning/

· A list of 30 banned or challenged books that everyone should read. https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/books/2021/09/27/banned-books-week-the-bluest-eye-harry-potter-1984-handmaids-tale-goosebumps-golden-compass/5758877001/

Have a resource you think should be included? Send us a message and let us know!