On October 6, the first DEI Coffee was held in the North Cafeteria, with the theme, “All Are Welcome!” Sponsored by the Parents’ Association and hosted by Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Stella Mulatu, Director of Alumni and Parent Engagement Tia Murkison, and PA DEI Chair Adey Fisseha, the coffee focused on having conversations centered around diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging at Gaynor.
After some time for attendees to catch up and enjoy some refreshments, Ms. Mulatu began the meeting with an overview of Gaynor’s existing DEI initiatives, including the PA’s Breakfast My Way events and their previous themes, as well as some curriculum projects that took place last year, such as a book exchange in the Yellow Cluster.
To act as an icebreaker and a focal point for the remainder of the meeting, Ms. Mulatu asked the question, “How do you make rice?” Small groups then discussed with each other how they make rice, including when they eat it, who taught them, what they make it with, and what tools they use to make it. After a few minutes of some lively conversation surrounding the activity, attendees contributed what they learned to the larger group. As Ms. Mulatu explained, the goal of this exercise was to share cultures with each other by swapping stories about something as mundane and universal as rice, and see how it can differ for each person depending on what culture or background they come from.
Head of School Dr. Scott Gaynor took a few minutes to speak about October as Learning Difference Awareness Month, and the initiatives that Stephen Gaynor School is taking to celebrate. The meeting ended with time for questions, comments, and suggestions, and attendees put their brainstorming skills to work! Everyone was engaged with, and encouraging of, each other’s ideas, and the room hummed with positive energy. Attendees were ready to step into this new chapter for DEI at Gaynor, and in the larger conversation there were ideas of possible future events for both parents and students, and naming of resources that could help members of the group. It was a successful first parent DEI coffee, and we look forward to the next meeting on November 16.
