Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion & Equity

DBIE Statement

Pembroke Hill seeks to fulfill our mission, Together, cultivating the best in each, for the benefit of all, by recognizing that diversity, belonging, equity and inclusion are integral elements of school and community life. Our mission-inspired goal is together, cultivating each to be a global thinker and valuable member of the PHS community poised to acquire the academic and life skills that make a significant difference for all.

DBIE Defined



DBIE Mission-Defined Work

2020
In June, Pembroke Hill engaged Sophic Solutions, a consulting partner. August saw the initiation of two community-wide discussions, engaging parents, alumni, and faculty members. September marked the inaugural gathering of the DEI Advisory Council, highlighting the school's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. October witnessed the launch of the DEI Assessment Conversations, a comprehensive platform fostering candid evaluations of DEI experiences within the school community, incorporating input from students, parents, alumni, faculty, staff, and randomly selected community members. December saw Pembroke Hill hosting the "Start, Stop, Continue, and Consider" discussion, where ideas for enhancing inclusivity and equity were gathered from both students and faculty members. Additionally, six upper school students and three faculty members participated in two significant conferences—the Student Diversity Leadership Conference and the People of Color Conference—sponsored by the National Association of Independent Schools, further amplifying the school's dedication to fostering diversity and inclusion.

2021
In January, Pembroke Hill created the director of diversity, equity, and inclusion position and commenced the search process. February saw all faculty and staff participating in mandatory DEI professional development training, while March brought the sharing of the DEI Assessment results with the Board of Trustees, further explored during the Trustee meeting. April featured programs by the Jewish Community Relations Bureau/AJC aimed at students across grade levels and a virtual session on Understanding Contemporary Antisemitism. Additionally, a second Start, Stop, Continue, and Consider the DEI Advisory Council and Sophic Solutions facilitated session. May marked the appointment of Dr. Jason Gines '95 as director of diversity, belonging, inclusion, and equity, along with co-chairs for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Council. June saw the DEI Advisory Council presenting recommendations to the Board of Trustees. July welcomed Dr. Jason Gines '95 to Pembroke Hill and marked the school's partnership with School Smart KC in the Equity in Schools Cohort with Beloved Community. Pembroke Hill reported its student demographics in September and introduced a diversity recruitment statement. October featured parent conversations facilitated by Dr. Jason Gines '95 and a Global Cultural Celebration sponsored by the Parents Association. Finally, in November, the DBIE Council reviewed the DBIE Statement.

2022
In January 2022, Pembroke Hill honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with various events, including a school-wide letter, classroom activities, and participation in the city-wide Martin Luther King Walk. The Parents Association sponsored a winter Global Cultural Celebration, highlighting the heritage of those within the Pembroke Hill community from North, South, and Central America. February witnessed the school celebrating Black History Month with classroom activities, daily facts, and posters featuring biographies of Kansas City Black historical figures. Additionally, the Board of Trustees reached consensus on the DBIE Statement. April saw the Parents Association sponsoring a spring Global Cultural Celebration, focusing on Europe and Australia. In May, the Parents Association Inclusion Council, supported by the DBIE Advisory Council, organized a culminating event featuring 65 countries and over 100 volunteer organizers, celebrating cultural diversity through food, decorations, and performances. The first Fireside Chat provided a platform for discussions on school culture. September marked the return of the Fireside Chat, with a focus on community-shared commitments.

DBIE Advisory Council

In 2020, Pembroke Hill created a Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion and Equity Advisory Council to the Board of Trustees. The 13 individuals who serve on the Advisory Council include parents, students, faculty/staff, alumni and Trustees. The Advisory Council, which is multiracial and multicultural, is co-chaired by Jamie Allen and Jorge Santizo, both of whom are current parents and Trustees.

This Advisory Council’s role is to extend guidance, not set policy, to the Board and school administration across multiple functions, but especially in terms of diversity, belonging, equity and inclusion while keeping Pembroke Hill accountable for work in this area.

Co-Chair, PHS Parent, Trustee
Jamie Allen

Co-Chair, PHS Parent, Trustee
Jorge Santizo

Former PHS Parent, Former Trustee
Bill Gautreaux

Alum
Aaron Rahsaan Thomas '95

Lower School Fifth Grade Teacher
Billie Howard Barnes

PHS Parent, Trustee
Yvonne Hsu

Alum
James Walden '73

Upper School Social Studies Teacher
Jeanette Jones

Lower School Fourth Grade Teacher
Michael Jones

PHS Parent, Former Trustee
Danny O'Neill

PHS Parent, Alum'95
Brian Scharf

Current students are also represented on the committee 

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