Diversity Is Who We Are. Inclusion Is What We Do: Creating a Blueprint to Become a More Inclusive Organization

Abstract

Education First (Ed First) is a mission-driven professional services firm dedicated to improving outcomes for all students - particularly low-income students and students of color - through delivering high-quality solutions and ideas to its clients. As the firm seeks to achieve this impact in the field, it recognizes the importance of growing the staff and organizational capacity to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels of the firm. This capstone outlines my strategic project to lead an inclusive process, gathering diverse perspectives, to create a more equitable and inclusive operating model for the firm. In addition to leading this inclusive process, I also sought to examine how conditions under a time-bound engagement might translate to ongoing systems and structures to create a more inclusive culture at Education First. As many education organizations explore how to achieve educational equity, there is a rising commitment within those organizations to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive themselves. Our experience may be useful for other education organizations who have a stated commitment for educational equity and are seeking to improve their organization’s capacity in order to deliver on this mission.