Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At Friends School of Baltimore, we strive to be a community where everyone can live out their full identity and be cherished and respected for every aspect of it. We seek this goal for the benefit of all members of our community, not simply those who identify as part of marginalized identities or experiences.

We believe that no school is effectively preparing its students for life unless it provides them the skills, knowledge, and habits of mind and heart to be able to engage in deep and meaningful discourse around issues of inequity in all its forms. Our values-based Quaker education is a 300-year-old tradition that helps us create and sustain an inclusive community that promotes diversity and equity in all forms.

We encourage respect for the variety of beliefs and backgrounds represented on our campus, through day-to-day activities, curriculum, and school-wide celebrations. We know that young people thrive when they are allowed to learn safely in an environment where they will be supported by the adults and their peers.

DEI Initiatives

Strategic Working Plan for Racial Equity

In an effort to become a more antiracist institution, Friends School released a community-informed Strategic Working Plan for Racial Equity for the 2020-21 school year. The current year Strategic Working Plan will grow and develop into a long-range, community informed multi-year strategic plan.

Read the 2020-21 strategic working plan for racial equity

access the strategic working plan dashboard

DEI Programs

About the DEI Office

The Friends School Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion team consists of Co-Directors and Divisional Coordinators. The DEI Coordinators work in partnership with the heads/directors of their division/department/office and serve as an extension of the DEI Office to implement programs, support initiatives, and educate and collaborate with teachers, staff, and students around DEI topics.

Meet the Team

Whittney Preston Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion wpreston@friendsbalt.org
Bianca Washington Assistant Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion bwashington@friendsbalt.org        
Myresha Williams Pre-Primary Divisional Coordinator mwilliams@friendsbalt.org
Maleeha Malik Lower School Divisional Coordinator mmalik@friendsbalt.org
Narjis Benjelloun Middle School Divisional Coordinator nbenjelloun@friendsbalt.org
Ari McCown Middle School Divisional Coordinator amccown@friendsbalt.org