About Us

Equity and Inclusion

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging

Our Vibrant Community

Brimmer’s diversity strengthens our welcoming and inclusive community. We host affinity group meetings for Middle and Upper School students and families of color and bring in speakers and hold workshops for on a range of topics addressing diversity, equity, inclusion, & belonging. We also hold numerous events that celebrate cultural traditions and share about our differences and our common humanity. These programs—along with our school culture and set of values—enhance our collective experience of community, educate our students about social justice and equity, and empower our students to be responsible citizens and empathetic, ethical leaders.

Jessica Christian, Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging

As a school, we must work hard to create an equitable environment for all and actively teach and practice anti-bias and anti-racism at every level.

Meet our Director

Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging Jessica Christian leads Brimmer's efforts to ensure that our community honors its diversity and fosters equity, mutual respect, appreciation, and the ability to embrace difference. She organizes events, programs, professional development, and meetings for students, faculty, and families, and facilitates our affinity groups. Ms. Christian is available to meet with members of the Brimmer community that might need individual attention.

Read Jessica Christian's Blog

Building an Equitable Community

Everyday Activism: Moving from Talk to Walk

Lawrence Alexander, our DEI consultant for the 2020-2021 academic year, gave the keynote address for our 16th Annual Bissell Grogan Symposium, which focused on our school-year theme, Building an Equitable Community. In his presentation, entitled Everyday Activism: Moving from Talk to Walk, Mr. Alexander spoke to Middle & Upper School faculty and students in grades 7-12 with the intention of helping our communities, and particularly our students, lead authentic systemic change. He addressed the protests and demonstrations, focusing on how we can sustain the change for which we have marched. You can view a recording of Mr. Alexander's presentation here.

Recent Communications

All Communications

Affinity Groups and Training

List of 5 items.

Affinity Groups & Student Diversity Clubs
Students have the option to participate in clubs and affinity groups including:
- African American/Latino/Multi-racial Affinity Group
- International Students from China Affinity Group
- AAPI Club
- GSA (Gender and Sexuality for All)
- Student Diversity Leadership Club
- Middle School Diversity Lunch Group
- Grade 5 Diversity Lunch Bunch
Topics discussed in our groups may include: celebrations of identity, history lessons, politics, current events, and microaggressions. The make-up and existence of our groups may change year-to-year as we respond to the needs of our community.
Student Conferences
Brimmer students help to develop internal diversity programming at the Lower, Middle, and Upper School levels. Off campus, students attend conferences including:
- NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC)
- AISNE Middle School Diversity Conference
- AISNE Middle School Student of Color Conference
- AISNE High School Student of Color Conference
These conferences address topics of race but also cover in depth issues surrounding socio-economic differences, gender identity, and sexual orientation, among other things.
Community Meetings for Diversity

All members of community—staff, families, and students gather each quarter for dinner and a meeting that focuses on the celebration of culture, announcing upcoming events at the School, setting goals for diversity efforts, and exchanging information.
Professional Development & Faculty Conferences

Faculty members attend conferences and workshops through organizations such as AISNE and NAIS that focus on topics including white privilege, representation of diversity in the classroom, and teaching students of color. Faculty members also attend the NAIS People of Color Conference (PoCC) each year.
Faculty & Staff Training

This includes workshops and professional development training from organizations such as the National Association of Independent School (NAIS); the Association of Independent Schools in New England (AISNE); Bay Area People of Color in Independent Schools (POCIS); the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN); and Visions. The Diversity Director has bi-monthly internal meetings with all the members of the Diversity Council.

Bully Prevention and Intervention Policy
All members of the community strive to treat each other with respect, and faculty work to prevent bullying and help children feel safe at School.

Recent Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging News

All DEIB News

List of 3 news stories.

Chinese Culture Celebrations

We were so happy to honor the Year of the Tiger and the Lunar New Year with our community members who celebrate!
Read More
Black Joy

Emily Miller, Head of Lower School

Black History Month has begun. While special recognition is reserved for the month of February, it is important that Black history becomes an integral and integrated part of our teaching and curricula, and not only a stand-alone topic.
Read More
Honoring MLK

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a group of our students came together to make a video, using parts of his “Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution” speech at Morehouse College.
Read More

Lower School DEIB Committee

List of 7 members.

Jessica Christian

Director Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging
Emily Miller

Head of Lower School
Rachel Wolf Heyman

LS Drama Teacher, LS Diversity Facilitator
Ina Patel

Lower School Director of Teaching & Learning
Taylor Vaughn

PK Teacher
Janeata Robinson

Registrar, Lower School Diversity
Debra Castro

Grade 1 Teacher

MS/US DEIB Committee

List of 7 members.

Jessica Christian

Director Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging
Carl Vallely

Head of Middle School, Co-Director of Faculty Recruitment and Mentoring
Joshua Neudel

Head of Upper School
Emily Luckett

Upper School Counselor
Kelly Neely

Director of Global Studies, History Department Chair, History & Global Studies Teacher
Nicole DeCesare

Associate Director of Marketing & Communications
Elyse Seltzer

Director MS/US Library, Supervisor of the Library Program PK-12, DEI Curriculum Liaison

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As an inclusive private school community, Brimmer welcomes students who will increase the diversity of our school. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, or any other characteristic protected from discrimination under state or federal law, in the administration of our educational policies, admissions practices, financial aid decisions, and athletic and other school-administered programs.