Category Archives: Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Do you ever worry that you are using the wrong term to describe someone? We know that language matters, but do we understand the history behind the labels we use? Join us for a conversation about language, identity and labels. Everyone is welcome! This month’s Equity Committee discussion is a collaboration with the Catonsville Middle… Read More »

Parents and caregivers, we invite your students (and you!) to join us for an afternoon conversation with Betty Kilby Baldwin and Phoebe Kilby, co-authors of Cousins, the story of what happens when a White woman, Phoebe, contacts a Black woman, Betty, saying she suspects they are connected through slavery. Recently profiled in the Baltimore Sun,… Read More »

Is there something you’d love to chat about? “Getting Comfortable with Uncomfortable Conversations” is the Equity Committee’s monthly opportunity for us to gather, chat and learn about a predetermined topic. Virtual conversations are held the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30, beginning this Tuesday, October 5!  Think you’d like to lead a group? Let… Read More »

When “Asian Cast Member” Bowen Yang took a seat at the Weekend Update desk on Saturday Night Live and implored people to “do more” in the face of anti-Asian hate crimes, he didn’t just mean donate money to the Asian Community Assistance Association gofundme campaign. (Though do so by all means, if you’re able to… Read More »

As many of you know, the Hillcrest Elementary PTA has an active Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Not quite two years old, we’ve focused much of our energy and activity on the Equity piece of our work. We host a monthly discussion group to tackle issues like systemic racism and cultural appropriation; have formed a student… Read More »

This year the Autism Society of America, along with leading disability organizations across the country, announced that it is formally shifting references of “Autism Awareness Month” to “Autism Acceptance Month” because “inclusion begins with acceptance.” According to the CDC, “Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges. There… Read More »

Laylat al Bara’at is a Muslim holiday celebrated at night, which is associated with the descent of God from heaven and the generous forgiveness of sins. It is regarded as a night when the fortunes of individuals for the coming year are decided and when Allah may forgive sinners. Therefore, on this night every year many Muslims pray… Read More »

Holi is a Hindu festival that celebrates spring, love, and new life. It also celebrate the Hindu god Krishna. This year, Holi begins March 29, but celebrations begin the night before. After sundown, at the Holika Dahan, people gather to perform religious rituals in front of a bonfire, and to pray that their internal evil be… Read More »

The Equity Committee has officially revamped the format of its Book Club: it is now the Equity Discussion Group! Our hope is that this new format will be more accessible to members of the community who haven’t attended in the past because they weren’t able or didn’t want to read the books. There is “suggested prep work”… Read More »