Intentional conversations can bring about real change.
It's a concept human resources officers cite as a possible strategy for affective healing between racial communities.
And it's a founding principle behind the Equity Council that was formed two years ago as a tool to improve diversity and equity within the Jefferson City School District.
"It's about surrounding yourself with people that can help you understand life through different lenses," said Shelby Scarbrough, the Jefferson City School District's human resources director, who will become chief of learning Wednesday.
The Equity Council met consistently from October 2018 until January 2020, when its work was disrupted due to the coronavirus pandemic.
While the conversations dwindled to silence this year, it's being rejuvenated as the district, state and nation face a challenge of healing civil unrest.
The Equity Council, facilitated by Scarbrough, is focusing on improving engagement between staff and families and between the district and overall community.
Scarbrough said the goal is to have intentional conversations to bring about change - a concept that was a main takeaway from diversity conferences the council has attended.
Superintendent Larry Linthacum said the most important concept he took away from the conferences is that - as a white man - he needs to put himself in other people's shoes by listening openly and having empathy.
In recent weeks, as the nation has struggled with racial injustice and civil unrest, Linthacum said in a letter to staff and families that he wants to speak with more people of color, including parents, students, staff and community members, to learn how the district can improve.
Linthacum is meeting with individuals and small groups to better connect with people and listen to their experiences. Since he sent the letter, he has had four individual meetings so far. He has three individual meetings scheduled in the next two weeks and two with small groups he is finalizing times for, he said.
"I feel committed that we're going to meet with folks and connect with them and try to have empathy and listen more than speak," he said.
District leaders plan to use what they learn from these conversations to determine goals and discuss them at larger listening sessions in the future.
Right now, the district is focusing on improving equity through hiring practices, professional development, and curriculum and instruction and will bring up these issues for discussion with the JC Schools Equity Council, Linthacum said.
The Equity Council's current priority is to collaborate and have more conversations with community members to determine how to improve equity and diversity within the district and community.
"A lot of this work is mainly just educating us by going out and visiting with people, spending time with people in the community to figure out how we can best support," Scarbrough said.
The Equity Council is focusing on how it can improve equity in three areas: access and success, community engagement, and education and relationships. It has focus groups that discuss how to improve equity within these areas.
"We don't have outcomes just yet," Scarbrough said. "We're focusing on the process."
One of the council's top priorities is to educate each other, staff and the community to determine goals that will lead to outcomes.
"Until we can spend time meeting with people and learning and educating ourselves, it's hard to say when we plan to meet those goals," Scarbrough said.
To make suggestions directly to the district, contact Director of Communications Ryan Burns at 573-659-3018 or [email protected]. To schedule a time to meet with Linthacum, call the administrative office at 573-659-3000.