Center on Culture, Race & Equity
Our Approach
Our work supports change on personal, professional, and institutional levels through research and professional development. Our approach to both our research and our professional development is grounded in a number of theoretical frameworks: critical race theory, culturally responsive practice, developmentally and culturally appropriate practice, and adult learning theory. In all we do, our core values guide us each step of the way.
CCRE Change Model

What We Believe
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Race and culture matterThe harshest and most marginalizing effects of implicit bias in school systems fall along the lines of race. To mitigate these effects, we must examine the role of race in our own lives, in schools, in communities, and in larger systems. Our work is deepened when we explore the impact of race and the ways it intersects with other aspects of our identities. Because all humans are rooted in culture, we must begin to explore how our own cultural experiences have shaped the way we interact, learn, and connect with others in order to create more equitable experiences for all.
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Systems change starts with selfChange requires careful strategic planning and management. The first step is transformation on an individual level through critical reflection on one’s own personal and professional practices, which paves the way for larger changes to structures and systems.
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Strengths-based thinking is central to successOur interaction with children and communities is rooted in the way we view them. We help adults to see their own capacity for growth and change as well as the possibilities for all children and families.
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Families and community members are partnersEducators must co-construct learning experiences with families and community members to realize each child’s full potential. At CCRE, we believe families and family cultures play a critical role in shaping the growth and development of children. Guided by Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, we highlight the importance of the connectednesses of children, families, and communities as it relates to change.

A Case Study on Systemic Change
Transforming School Culture in Washington, D.C.
To help create a positive shift in school culture, the Center on Culture, Race & Equity partnered with District of Columbia Public Schools to establish a culturally responsive, strengths-based approach to teaching and learning in Washington, D.C. The video below showcases the impact of the work conducted at Turner Elementary School through interviews with faculty, staff, and parents.
Watch the Video