Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Students of Southeast Asian heritage share their culture with the JHS community at the Community Celebration Assembly.

Anthony Ray Hinton shared his story as the first keynote speaker for Social Justice Week.

Celebrating Jesuit's First Social Justice Week

Jesuit’s first-ever Social Justice Week took place from March 15-19, 2021, and offered a time to focus intentionally on justice/injustice; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI); human dignity; cultural identity; sustainability; life issues; and more. During the week, Jesuit students and teachers explored how to continue to grow as an equitable, inclusive and antiracist school while learning how to, listen, dialogue, act, and celebrate the Jesuit community.

A new event called Jesuit Day of Community and Action (JDOCA) occurred on Wednesday, March 17. Jesuit was proud to welcome Mr. Anthony Ray Hinton as its first-ever Social Justice Week keynote speaker. Mr. Hinton spent 30 years on death row for a crime he did not commit. Bryan Stevenson – acclaimed public interest attorney, bestselling author of Just Mercy, and Equal Justice Initiative founder – ultimately convinced the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Mr. Hinton’s conviction unanimously. The Jesuit community had the immense privilege of hearing Mr. Hinton’s story and learning about his work as an Equal Justice Initiative Educator who advocates for abolition of the death penalty, a position consistent with Catholic Social Teaching.

“Our keynote speaker was definitely one of the highlights of Social Justice Week,” said Brenda Cruz Jaimes, associate director of DEI. “Mr. Hinton’s story provided the Jesuit community with an opportunity to learn more about racism in the criminal justice system and why our Jesuit mission of being committed to serving God and others is so important to our school community.”

Following the keynote, students, faculty, and staff participated in a series of workshops led by Jesuit community members. From combating Anti-Asian Racism, Women in Politics, gentrification, mental health, climate change, and many more, workshop topics encouraged thoughtful discussions through-

Over 45 students participated in the assembly, sharing artistic expressions of their cultural identities. out the community, on JDOCA and for weeks afterward. While students and JHS staff each participated in three workshops, they were able to choose from over 30 options. Workshop leaders, including students and faculty, helped ensure that the inaugural JDOCA made a deep impact on all participants.

“The many teachers, students and community members who showed up to lead or monitor a workshop for our first-ever JDOCA were indispensable to the success of the day!” said Melissa Lowery, Jesuit’s Director of DEI. “Our community came together and created a beautiful shared learning experience that we hope to continue year after year after year. On JDOCA, we saw true the Ignatian spirit, seeking to discern God’s will in our work together.”

The Community Celebration Assembly for students, faculty, and staff wrapped up the day. Students were invited to share a form of their cultural identities through dance, song, instruments, spoken word, or other expression. Over 45 students participated in the assembly, which not only provided amazing performances, but also educated students and staff on cultural traditions within the community.

“We were incredibly excited to launch Jesuit’s Social Justice Week! As Pope Francis reminded us recently at a meeting entitled ‘Building the New Social Justice,’ social justice is a ‘collective work’ that must be achieved on a daily basis,” said Jesuit Principal Paul Hogan. “This work has been the focus of Jesuit schools since the first one was founded in Messina, Italy 473 years ago. We are proud to continue in this tradition of solidarity with those on the margins of our world, and with Creation itself.”

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

A Year of DEI Work

Jesuit students were active in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work in 2021-21. Navigating the global pandemic produced a unique school year, but our students still engaged in thoughtful discussions based on relevant topics and issues that allowed them to delve into their understanding of our society and world and come to meaningful conclusions.

DEI Welcome Back Drive Through

Due to COVID in August of 2020, we were not able to gather all of our families together for our annual DEI Welcome Back Potluck. Instead we had a Welcome Back Family Ice Cream Drive Through. Families drove onto campus near the tennis courts and were greeted by a parade of returning students and faculty. Although it was not our traditional beginning-of-the-year meet, it was a memorable experience and new families felt welcomed.

Student Life

Students engaged in a new program called Peer2Peer Conversations led by, and for, students. In March of 2021, Peer2Peer collaborated with Jesuit Community Conversations by giving a thorough presentation about anti-Blackness and taking part in a conversation with alumni and faculty.

Jesuit Community Conversations

JCC was a new and significant addition to our DEI program in 2020-21. These conversations were intended to create a dialogue and spark awareness about issues that affect our Jesuit community on a macro and micro level. Our entire Jesuit family was invited to listen, ask questions, share experiences, and fellowship. Topics discussed this year included: racial justice and current climate, justice from a legal perspective, the significance of voting, and DEI within the gospel and Catholic social teaching.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Legacy Assembly

This year our MLK Assembly was live streamed with the help of JCTV, and focused on human dignity and service. Students read from writings and sermons of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and other Civil Rights Activists, and heard a presentation about service from Ms. Andrea Casey, Director of the Arrupe Center. Campus Minister Don Clarke and Choir Director Kristen Caldwell led us in singing the civil rights anthem “We Shall Overcome,” and we watched an original performance by our choir and band.

Parent Community and Participation

Our PAGs grew stronger this year in their engagement in the community. Groups include PAASA (Parents of African American Students Association), PLSA (Parents of Latino Students Association), PDIA (Parent Diversity and Inclusion Alliance) and PAAPIA (Parents of Asian American and Pacific Islander students association). These affinity groups provide a specific and intentional space for parents to share their unique experiences being part of the Jesuit community. This year our PAGs engaged in deep conversations about race, culture, self-care and support. The involvement of our PAGs allows our parent community to have open conversations that create more awareness and mindfulness at home and in our school community.

Family Service Day

Our Parent Affinity Groups (PAGs) organized two donation drives for our community. The first drive was during our Thanksgiving Family Service in support of the non-profit, HomePlate Youth Services. PAGs collected over 10 large bins of toiletries, gift cards and chargers for Home Plate. In January for our second Family Service Day, we supported Impact NW. PAGs collected bins of cleaning supplies, gift cards and kind notes from our community. We were blessed to be able to support and empower these amazing organizations.