Branching out as an Antiracist School: Toni Graves Williamson and the Race Institute for K-12 Educators

The Race Institute for K-12 Educators continues 
to provide thorough professional development opportunities for Friends Select educators on their journey to grow their racial identities. The local non-
profit organization—co-directed by director of equity 
and inclusion Toni Graves Williamson—facilitates three-
day workshops to accommodate approximately 20 educators, who each contribute their in-depth and personal experiences in the exploration and processing 
of personal racial identity. Additionally, each institute includes a panel of local high school students willing to share their experiences with race in school. 

The Race Institute typically offers six workshops throughout the year, and Friends Select has long provided its faculty an opportunity to attend. “With the school’s renewed commitment to antiracism, our faculty are knocking the door down to attend,” said Toni. Although most attendees represent local independent schools, virtual workshops have enabled the Race Institute to 
attract educators from states as far as North Carolina and Texas, and there were a number of participants from the United Kingdom last year.