New York, NY- On Monday, April 10th, the book Leading Within Systems of Inequity in Education: A Liberation Guide For Leaders of Color launched with a conversation featuring Author and Activist Iris Morales, Benny Vasquez, Chief Equity Officer, KIPP Foundation, and Dr. Mary Rice-Boothe, author of the book. This conversation was moderated by Basil Smikle, PhD, Distinguished Lecturer and Director of the Public Policy Program at the Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute at Hunter College. Over 50 community leaders educators, and business leaders attended the event.
Leading Within Systems of Inequity in Education: A Liberation Guide for Leaders of Color is a timely guide that will help leaders of color succeed within white spaces while working to create a new system where they—and students—thrive. The book poses the questions: as a leader of color, what do you need to succeed in the systems that often have marginalized the populations you represent? What skills and support will help you to replace these existing systems with new ones that will better serve today’s students?
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The author Rice-Boothe addresses these questions with specific recommendations, outlining the “whys” and “hows” of 10 individual, interpersonal, and institutional competencies for leaders:
- Demonstrate self-awareness.
- Operate outside your comfort zone.
- Practice love and rage.
- Practice self-care.
- Engage in authentic dialogue.
- Attend to relationships.
- Create a coalition.
- Be patient but persistent.
- Take a stand in pursuit of a liberatory education system even if it’s unpopular.
- Act to change systemic racism every day in policies, procedures, and systems.
The reader will learn from the experiences and insights of equity officers and principals in districts of all sizes and explore key takeaways, reflection questions, and additional resources. Both inspiring and practical, Leading Within Systems of Inequity in Education is an indispensable liberation guide for overcoming obstacles and creating the path to genuine equity in schools.
The author, Mary Rice-Boothe, EdD, has more than 25 years of experience in education as a teacher, principal, principal coach, curriculum designer, and equity officer. She currently serves as an executive director of curriculum development and equity at The Leadership Academy, a national nonprofit organization. In this role, she oversees the organization’s internal and external equity strategy. She is also the lead designer for the organization’s instructional tools and resources. Mary began her career in education as a high school English teacher in East Harlem. She is a certified Courageous Conversations About Race Affiliate and a certified Facilitative Leadership Trainer. Mary holds a BA in Metropolitan Studies from New York University, an MA in English and English Education from the City College of New York, and a doctorate in Leadership and Organizational Change from the University of Southern California.
“There are books out there that I consider good reads while there are other books out there that I consider must-reads. What Mary Rice-Boothe has written is a must-read for all school leadership practitioners and aspiring school leaders. So much that is written for school leaders is written generically. What a breath of fresh air when there is a book written by a leader of color specifically for leaders of color that speaks to the specific reality of being a leader of color—particularly when the leader of color is tasked with leading in spaces that are not necessarily of color. I’m excited about this book, and I endorse it with no hesitation or reservation.” Principal Baruti Kafele, retired principal, author, consultant
“Wow! Mary Rice-Boothe has done a masterful job of weaving together some very complex concepts and practices that will empower educational leaders to systematically address the beliefs, policies, and practices that have marginalized, dismissed, oppressed, and excluded large sections of our student and adult educational community. Her development of a three-tiered continuum of competency development is both a practical and powerful formula for ongoing systemic transformation. This is a must-read for leaders who want to create a liberated school system for all members of a diverse community.” Hector Montenegro, former superintendent and coauthor of Empowering Long-Term ELs with Social-Emotional Learning, Language, and Literacy
The book is published by ASCD, the nation’s leading association for K–12 educator professional development. The book is available at Amazon and www.ascd.org/books.
