Joining Forces to Foster DEI Grant
The "Joining Forces" grants will support projects that aim to advance antiracism and decolonization work as it relates to the intersectional nature of community members’ identities. Project funds could support curriculum materials, professional learning opportunities, or other related expenses for community organizations outside of VCU.
The three grants are:
Dinwiddie High School
Tracy Booker collaborating with Jasmine Carter (VCU)
The purpose for applying to the Joining Forces Grant is to be able to provide Dinwiddie High School's English Language Learner program a Little Library that includes English, English-Spanish, and Spanish literature for high school students and their families. The funds will also provide literature and materials for family engagement and student self reflection through bookmarks, journals and pens. The community that this grant will impact are students in Dinwiddie High School's English Language Learner program and the families of these students. Dinwiddie High School's ELL program will collaborate with the VCU Multilingual Ambassador Program to gather appropriate materials for this initiative.
Portsmouth Public Schools, Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Dr. Janeen Perry-Campbell collaborating with Cassandra Stanley (VCU)
The overall goal of this proposed project is to provide an inclusive active learning environment for the diverse students at Brighton Elementary School. This will be done through the purchasing of modular furniture to create an inclusive active learning environment where students can read a variety of books that showcase diverse characters like themselves. The student population is 98% children of color, many have been PALS identified, and read below grade level. This program aims to provide a safe space where students will develop a passion for reading, collaborate with their peers, and become critical thinkers.
La-Neka S. Brown (VCU)
Degrees of Degrees (D°) is a podcast dedicated to supporting women of color as they pursue terminal degrees; advance in their careers; and explore how to use their knowledge, experience and passion to impact and influence spaces traditionally segregated by race and gender. This project will develop a podcast that will continue to advance the work of equity and diversity through addressing intersectionality of race and gender for women of color at work. Through the shared narratives of courageous women of color, supportive allies, and our four engaging and entertaining hosts, listeners will better understand the dynamics women of color navigate in order to achieve success in academia and various industries.