LEADING WITHIN SYSTEMS OF INEQUITY

This timely guide will help leaders of color succeed within white spaces while working to dismantle those spaces for a new system where they—and students—thrive.

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?

In Leading Within Systems of Inequity in Education, Mary Rice-Boothe addresses these questions with specific recommendations, outlining the “whys” and “hows” of 10 individual, interpersonal, and institutional competencies for leaders:

1. Demonstrate self-awareness.
2. Operate outside your comfort zone.
3. Practice love and rage.
4. Practice self-care.
5. Engage in authentic dialogue.
6. Attend to relationships.
7. Create a coalition.
8. Be patient but persistent.
9. Take a stand in pursuit of a liberatory education system even if it’s unpopular.
10. Act to change systemic racism every day in policies, procedures, and systems.

You 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.

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. In this role, she oversees the organization’s internal and external equity strategy. Rice-Boothe is also the lead designer for the organization’s instructional tools and resources.

Rice-Boothe began her career in education as a high school English teacher in East Harlem. She 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.