Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Efforts Continue

Although plans to reopen Austin Prep are a major focus, there are many other issues of great importance. The capability to advance other priorities, however, is directly tied to Austin Prep’s implementation of a comprehensive and realistic reopening plan, including our ability to amplify work to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion and eradicate racism and bias.  

In February 2019, I announced we hired Austin Prep’s first full-time professional to lead diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and programming in our community. Austin Prep’s steadfast commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion remains as important as ever as we work to eliminate racism. In their Pastoral Letter on Racism, the United Conference of Catholic Bishops were unmistakable in their teaching: “Racism is not merely one sin among many; it is a radical evil that divides the human family and denies the new creation of a redeemed world. To struggle against it demands an equally radical transformation, in our own minds and hearts as well as in the structure of our society.” Austin Prep condemns racism, bigotry, or intolerance in any form and our Catholic faith calls us to deepen our commitment to foster greater respect and justice for all.

Although we have advanced our curriculum and programs over the last several years towards greater diversity and tolerance, it’s not enough; more focus and more action is required. As a part of Austin Prep’s expanding commitment to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion, we’re directing additional resources to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and training.

We recently announced we retained the services of Dr. Crystal Kuykendall, an accomplished educator, attorney, author, and recognized expert to assist us this coming year. You may recall that Dr. Kuykendall was on campus in March when she delivered the keynote address for the 2020 St. Augustine Lecture Series.

Last week we announced that Jaycob Morales was appointed Coordinator of Community Engagement and Inclusion. Many in the Austin Prep community know Jaycob through his work as a member of Austin Prep’s coaching staff for the last few years. A resident of Lawrence, Jaycob comes to us from Lawrence High School with a lifelong passion for education and community building.

Faculty and staff are engaged in professional development around anti-racism and expanding diversity, equity, and inclusion in our School community. Moving towards greater tolerance and racial equity will take sustained efforts to engage the entire Austin Prep community in defeating structural, systemic, explicit, and implicit racism. We will continue our work to make Austin Prep’s curriculum and faculty more diverse and inclusive and advance the moral imperative that every human being is made in the image and likeness of God and has worth and dignity.