COMMUNITY
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at
EN SWORT H B Y D AV I D B R A E M E R , H E A D O F S C H O O L
In recent months, people across our nation have been engaged in deep reflection about the systemic racial inequities in our nation’s fabric that advantage some and oppress others. While these injustices are rooted in our past, they remain omnipresent. If we at Ensworth are to live up to our motto, In Search of Truth, we must recognize and respond to the lived truth of everyone in our community. This summer, several members of our school community, including alumni and current families, came forward to express concerns that some students, mostly Black and People of Color, did not feel or do not feel equally welcome at Ensworth. I am grateful for the courage and candor of those who reached out to share their stories, and I apologize to those who experienced hate or discrimination despite our stated commitment to kindness, respect, and inclusion. Recent national events and revelations have further emphasized the importance of our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and compel us to ensure that our ideals continue to be transformed into actionable plans. Following is an outline of efforts that have already been underway, as well as some new initiatives, all of which are geared toward making Ensworth a more inclusive community. Building upon the establishment of an official Statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion by the Board in 2018, we chose the topic of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) as a key area of focus for our reaccreditation process with the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) in 2019. Our self-study, the feedback from a survey of parents, students, and faculty that we conducted last fall, and the recommendations from a visiting team of educational leaders who came to campus during this past school year, are guiding our actions moving forward. 8 | ENSWORTH ENSIGHTS
