Commitments & Initiatives
Kinkaid's Diversity Statement
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commitment
Adopted by The Kinkaid School Board of Trustees
March 30, 2021
A community grounded in diversity, equity, and inclusion is essential for The Kinkaid School to fulfill its mission and truly embody its core values of honesty, responsibility, respect, and kindness. A diverse community enhances our intellectual curiosity, inspires creativity, and cultivates empathy, all of which are essential to developing critical thinkers and leaders.
Important differences at Kinkaid include culture, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, family composition, neighborhoods, physical ability, political philosophy, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and talent. Recognizing, supporting, and honoring the unique contributions of our diverse community creates a stronger Kinkaid for all.
Members of the Kinkaid community will foster a school environment where respect is paramount and every member is valued, safe, and included. This responsibility extends throughout the entire community, including but not limited to students, faculty, staff, school leadership, board of trustees, parents, guardians, families, grandparents, caretakers, and alumni.
Through institutional decisions and policies, Kinkaid is committed to creating and enhancing programs that foster diversity, equity, and inclusion as foundational aspects of our school community, including academics, arts, athletics, student life, admissions, community engagement, and employment practices. Community members will challenge bias and stereotypes, embrace differences, stimulate collaboration and teamwork, and honor viewpoints that are presented in a civil and respectful manner.
In concert with our mission and core values, our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion will equip students with the skills to serve, lead and become contributing citizens to the communities of Kinkaid, Houston, our country, and the world.
Affinity Groups
During the 2020-21 school year, conversations about the best ways to form Affinity Groups continue to take place. Affinity groups are an important tool for reducing the sense of isolation, discomfort, and marginalization many students can feel even in the most mission-centered school communities.
The purpose of these groups would be for students to have a positive and constructive context to explore and affirm topics of shared identity and experience with the support of the school leadership and faculty.
This approach helps to strengthen our community and to cultivate students’ confidence in themselves and their place at Kinkaid, so they can grow into young leaders. Affinity groups help fulfill our school's mission statement, preparing students “to lead, serve, and become contributing citizens to Kinkaid, our country, and the global community.”
Director of DEI
The Kinkaid School appointed Mujidat Shotonwa as the Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for the 2021-22 school year. Ms. Shotonwa will serve as member of the senior administrative team and will serve as the coordinator of DEI initiatives for the School. Key leadership responsibilities include strategically cultivating a community of belonging - from the moment of onboarding through induction to the alumni association and beyond.
POCC & SDLC
The People of Color Conference in conjunction with the Student Leadership Diversity Conference meets on an annual basis to equip educators at every level, and upper school students with knowledge, skills and experiences to improve and enhance the interracial, interethnic and intercultural climate in their schools. For over 15 years Kinkaid has sent a dedicated team of faculty and staff to the PoCC and beginning in 2017 the Upper School Student Diversity Leadership Board (SDLB) began sending up to six students to attend. In 2020, 32 faculty and staff will attend the online conference along with six members of the SDLB.