Founding Advisory Committee

Our founding advisory committee members meet periodically and advise us on the content, process and stewardship of the workshop.
  • Chris Avery, Stepping Stones
  • Felix Chen, Abington Friends School
  • Marissa Colston, Westtown School
  • Nora Durant, Chester Charter School for the Arts
  • Dr. Shaun Harper, University of Pennsylvania
  • Marion Henderson, Westtown School parent
  • Dr. Sydney Howe-Barksdale, Public Interest Resource Center and Westtown School parent
  • Sarah Lee, Friends Select School
  • Pat Macpherson, Westtown School
  • Lorraine Marino, Independent Consultant
  • Dr. Eddie Moore, Jr.
  • Dr. Barbara Moore Williams, Independent consultant
  • Courtney Portlock, Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart
  • Deborra Sines-Pancoe, Friends Council on Education
  • Dr. Howard Stevenson, University of Pennsylvania and Penn Charter parent
  • Hannah Tran, Philadelphia Academy of School Leaders
  • Dr. Chezare Warren, University of Pennsylvania
  • Sam Willis, The Episcopal Academy

"It is a powerful reminder of the importance of coordinated work on race and the dynamics of race facing schools."

– Race Institute Participant – 

“Thank you for providing an opportunity for me to dig deeper into my own racial identity, to help me find my voice to talk about race with my family, friends and colleagues, I’ve known this for awhile…I’m ready now!”

– Race Institute Participant – 

“The Race Institute helped me reflect on my racial identity. I will continue to do that without that consistent honest reflection, I would never be able to build honest genuine relationships with my students – our relationships are what drive real learning and growth.”

– Race Institute Participant –

“This was a very different experience for me. I have had other trainings where I felt “chastised” but wasn’t given anything to do to move beyond those feelings. The Race Institute workshop stirred up a lot of emotions but I am leaving feeling more positive about how to approach things.”

– Race Institute Participant –

“This was by far the most useful and impactful professional development I have had done in many years- thank you.”

– Race Institute Participant – 

“This was the first race and diversity workshop I have been to where I left learning a lot about me, learning a lot about racial identity, and having tools to move forward. It is safe and deeply valuable self-assessment. Thank you for pushing me!”

– Race Institute Participant – 

“I would tell people to come to the workshop as a way to combat feelings of white guilt and understand–how to converse more openly and honestly about race. How to see the ways race issues touch everyone.”

– Race Institute Participant – 

“I would recommend this to others as it was a great balance among personal work, group work, outlining the issues and tools for change.”

– Race Institute Participant – 

"It is a powerful reminder of the importance of coordinated work on race and the dynamics of race facing schools."

– Race Institute Participant –

“Thank you for providing an opportunity for me to dig deeper into my own racial identity, to help me find my voice to talk about race with my family, friends and colleagues, I’ve known this for awhile…I’m ready now!”

– Race Institute Participant –

“The Race Institute helped me reflect on my racial identity. I will continue to do that without that consistent honest reflection, I would never be able to build honest genuine relationships with my students – our relationships are what drive real learning and growth.”

– Race Institute Participant –

“This was a very different experience for me. I have had other trainings where I felt “chastised” but wasn’t given anything to do to move beyond those feelings. The Race Institute workshop stirred up a lot of emotions but I am leaving feeling more positive about how to approach things.”

– Race Institute Participant –

“This was by far the most useful and impactful professional development I have had done in many years- thank you.”

– Race Institute Participant –

“This was the first race and diversity workshop I have been to where I left learning a lot about me, learning a lot about racial identity, and having tools to move forward. It is safe and deeply valuable self-assessment. Thank you for pushing me!”

– Race Institute Participant –

“I would tell people to come to the workshop as a way to combat feelings of white guilt and understand–how to converse more openly and honestly about race. How to see the ways race issues touch everyone.”

– Race Institute Participant –

“I would recommend this to others as it was a great balance among personal work, group work, outlining the issues and tools for change.”

– Race Institute Participant –

Get in Touch

Questions? Connect with our administrative coordinator.