Race Institute Board

We are grateful for the leadership and support of our Board Members.
image of Rebekah Adens

Rebekah Adens, LMSW, M.Div

Family Psychotherapist (Private Practice), DEI Professional

image of Brendon Jobs

Brendon Jobs

Upper School Director, Abington Friends School

image of Brian Johnson

Brian Johnson

Executive Director, Head of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging, FS Investments

image of Michael Farrell

Michael Farrell

Chief Learning Officer, The School District of Philadelphia

head shot of Vinh Nguyen

Vinh Nguyen

8th grade math teacher, Philadelphia School District

image of Cecelia Ramirez

Cecilia Ramirez Suero

writer, racial justice coach, equity activist and host of the First in the Family podcast

image of Deborra Sines Pancoe

Deborra Sines Pancoe

Associate Director, Friends Council on Education

image of Hannah Tran

Hannah Tran

Program Manager, Philadelphia Academy of School Leaders

"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.