Burke Life

Equity and Inclusion

Our mission is to bring together students who are different from one another in many ways. Embracing differences, developing sensitivity to the perspective of others and preventing isolation of any one group are intrinsic to Burke's culture.

Our Director of Equity & Inclusion is committed to weaving the principles of affirmation and fairness into everything we do here, from assemblies to course curricula. Teachers and students alike appreciate that Burke has dedicated an administrative office and significant resources to this facet of the school.

Our Equity and Inclusion Statement

Burke respects the dignity and humanity of our students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni and trustees, as well as our broader community. We foster a culture of equity and inclusion that embraces the wide range of backgrounds and perspectives present at Burke. We continuously strive to cultivate understanding and appreciation of diversity that includes, but is not limited to, age, ability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, gender identity, political perspectives, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status. We acknowledge and encourage differences of opinions, ideas, and interests, and we expect thoughtful discussion and civil engagement. Burke affirms the individual worth of all community members, and we challenge behaviors that demean, marginalize, or exclude others. Our goal is to maintain a diverse school community that exemplifies these values and to fulfill our commitment to equity and inclusion consistently in all areas of school and community life.

INLIGHT DIVERSITY MAGAZINE

InLight is a youth-led and institutionally-backed platform for dialogue that explores cultures, lifts voices, and interrogates injustices. Contributors tell their own stories, shedding light on their experiences, customs, politics, and the social issues of their communities. We hope to expand the cultural lens of our readers, providing a shock to complacency and an antidote to intolerance. We strive to foment empathy and inspire action within our youth, across our schools and in our greater society.

Learn more about the DC-wide InLight organization right here.

Special Assemblies

Ethical Dilemmas Within Social Movements: Dr. Marcia Chatelain, Georgetown University

20th Anniversary of the Million Man March

Transgender Identity: Laya Monarez, Human Rights Campaign

Martin Luther King Jr.’s Poor People’s Campaign: David Tannenbaum, ThinkNear

Syrian Refugee Crisis: Kevin Sullivan & Linda Davidson, The Washington Post

The 2016 Presidential Campaign: Jay Newton-Small, TIME Magazine

Readings & Films

Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People by Mahzarin R. Banaji & Anthony G. Greenwald

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Educating Activist Allies: Social Justice Pedagogy with the Suburban and Urban Elite by Katy Swalwell

Straightlaced: How Gender’s Got Us All Tied Up, directed by Debra Chasnoff

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

The Difference: How the Power of Diversity Creates Better Groups, Firms, Schools, and Societies by Scott E. Page

The Mask You Live In, directed by Jennifer Siebel Newsome

Whistling Vivaldi: How Stereotypes Affect Us and What We Can Do (Issues of Our Time) by Claude M. Steele

White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism

by Robin DiAngelo

Race Talk and the Conspiracy of Silence: Understanding and Facilitating Difficult Dialogues on Race
by Derald Wing Sue

Burke Life

Director of Equity and Inclusion

List of 1 members.

Steven Lee

Director of Equity and Inclusion / Health, Values, & Ethics Department Chair

202-362-8882 x657

UCLA - B.A.
UC Berkeley - M.A.

steven.lee@burkeschool.org