Nonprofit Global Minds United are agents of change

Agents of Change

Global Minds United has partnered with schools such as Hough High School to teach students how to be compassionate and active global citizens.

DaviDson nonprofit eDucates others to think globally

by Bek Mitchell-Kidd photography by Camille Hughes

Davidson resident Ridgely Chapman was inspired to start nonprofit organization Global Minds United (GMU) while working as the executive director of Solace for the Children, where she witnessed how children from warring tribes could set aside differences and develop relationships rooted in compassion and empathy.

GMU creates and delivers dynamic educational programs to promote diversity and inclusion in schools. The goal is to develop competent, compassionate and active global citizens. The program is designed for schools and organizations that work with kids, and typically runs for two years.

Ridgely says one of the main reasons clients reach out to GMU is, “They know they have to do something, but don’t know how to do it. Addressing global diversity and inclusion can feel daunting. We have reached a tipping point in our society when staying silent is no longer an option.”

The first-year training sessions focus on implicit bias, diversity and global education, building identities, human rights and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The second year works on dialoguing differences, conflict resolution and peacebuilding, and intentionally concludes with change management. United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which include quality education, gender equality and zero hunger. “It is inspiring working with students to identify which goals they are passionate about and supporting them as they create an action plan to implement change in their own communities,” she says.

GMU also has the bandwidth to deliver smaller training modules to address issues that may pop up. This unique level of consulting allows GMU to pivot and assist schools and stakeholders when new challenges and questions arise. For example, the team recently developed a microaggression program to train educators on how to build awareness of and skills to deal with microaggressions taking place in a school setting.

GMU has partnered with Davidson Day, Hough High School, and the Charlotte Independence Soccer Club. Due to GMU’s work Ridgely has been accepted into the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Think Tank on Global Education: Empowering Global Citizens. The think tank brings together educators, policy makers, and United Nations delegates from around the world to discuss and develop cutting-edge education.

Locally, Ridgely encourages everyone to reflect on one of her favorite quotes from development psychologist and psychoanalyst Erik Erikson, “The more you know yourself, the more patience you have for what you see in others.”