About

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Crossroads is a welcoming, inclusive community that seeks to reflect the diversity of the greater Los Angeles area and encourages the exchange of multiple viewpoints and experiences.
The diversity of our families, faculty and staff is apparent in our varied social, economic and racial backgrounds; belief systems; ethnicities and religions; sexual orientations, gender expressions and identities; family structures; and much more. Our diversity enriches the learning experience, exposing students to people of differing backgrounds and perspectives and helping them develop empathy and cultural competency. It also builds their awareness of systematic social inequities and empowers them to advocate for a more just world.

Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Office
Led by director Stephanie Carrillo, the K-12 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Office provides leadership, guidance, and support to all school DEI initiatives. The Office fosters a culture of equity and inclusion through the implementation of curriculum, pedagogy, programs and policies designed to ensure all members of our community feel a strong sense of belonging. The Elementary, Middle, Secondary and Upper School coordinators are faculty members who support the Office at the divisional level, supported by the Office's assistant. The Office creates professional development and parent education opportunities; conducts internal and external outreach; supports recruitment and admission efforts; mentors students and fosters activism; and assesses programs, policies and procedures. As director of Latinx support and outreach, Silvia Salazar works with current Latinx students and parents and guides the Admission Office in its recruitment of incoming Latinx families. The Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion serves as a resource to all members of the Crossroads community.

List of 3 items.

  • Stephanie Carrillo

    Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, K-12

  • Silvia Salazar

    Associate Director of Latinx Support & Outreach, K-12

  • Danny Moreno

    Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Assistant

List of 3 items.

  • Tammy Abrahem

    Elementary School DEI Coordinator and Fifth Grade Co-Teacher

  • Mark Quinto

    Middle School DEI Coordinator, Core Coordinator and Teacher

  • Sarah Eleid

    Upper School DEI Coordinator and Science Teacher

Radical Inclusion for Social Equity

The RISE Committee
The RISE Committee was established with the primary goal of helping Crossroads implement recommendations outlined in the School's 2012 Assessment of Inclusivity and Multiculturalism report. Its mission was to utilize radical empathy to illuminate and engage with issues surrounding diversity. Additionally, it sought to serve as a driving force for both institutional change and individual identity development.

RISE played a pivotal role in fostering impactful dialogues around diversity and inclusion. Moreover, it actively undertook steps to advance those objectives at Crossroads, including the facilitation of various initiatives aimed at promoting diversity, equity and inclusion, some of which are outlined below.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Our Programming
Crossroads provides a range of programs to our community, all aimed at fostering inclusivity and nurturing a sense of belonging. These initiatives collectively form an integral part of our efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion.

List of 4 items.

  • SEED Seminars

    Quarterly SEED Seminars are open to Upper School students and all adult members of the School community who seek to gather in support of creating a more inclusive and equitable Crossroads community. Each seminar includes both education and reflection. Resources and information about a selected DEI topic is presented, then participants unpack their own stories and reflect on how lived cultural experiences have shaped their understanding of themselves and others. By engaging in personal reflection and testimony, listening to others’ voices, and learning both experientially and collectively, participants examine and address systemic issues that impact their communities.

    Our SEED program is based on the work of the National SEED Project, and our facilitators are certified by this organization.

  • Crossroads Community Councils (CCC)

    Led by trained council facilitators, the Crossroads Community Council is a quarterly gathering for all adult members of the School community who would like to explore DEI topics in a council setting. Through authentic sharing and deep listening, participants will gain a sense of gratitude, empathy and connection. Topics and key prompts for each council are determined and shared in advance.

  • Dads of Color Councils

    description coming soon

  • Parents Raising Students of Color

    This council is for parents/guardians raising students of color, including students who identify as biracial and/or multi-racial. These events are designed to help parents/guardians raising students of color to stay empowered, hopeful, and resilient when met with negotiating bias and politics around issues of race and ethnicity.

Diversity and Inclusion

Affinity Groups and Programs
Affinity groups are organized and designed to support our community who share a common aspect of their identity, particularly an aspect of their identity that has been marginalized or historically excluded in society. Our community members participate in affinity groups in order to find connection, support and inspiration in a safe, structured environment. Facilitating positive identity exploration is central to creating an inclusive and thriving community.

List of 5 items.

  • Middle School Affinity Groups

    • APIDA (Asian, Pacific Islander, Desi American)
    • Black/ African Affinity
    • Girls of Color
    • MSJU (Middle School Jewish Union)
    • Middle Eastern Affinity
    • Mi Familia
    • Neurodiversity Affinity
    • PAL (Pride Affinity Lunch)

  • Upper School Affinity Groups

    • Alma Latina
    • APIDASU (Asian, Pacific Islander, Desi American Student Union)
    • Black Girl Magic
    • Black Student Union
    • Jewish Student Union
    • Multi-Racial Student Union
    • Persian Student Union
    • Queer Student Union
    • Two Homes Affinity
    • Women of Color

  • Family Affinity Groups

    Asian Family Alliance (AFA)
    The mission of the Asian Family Alliance is to build support, foster connection and celebrate heritage for Crossroads parents and guardians who identify as having Asian, Pacific Islander or Desi American (APIDA) heritage, and/or whose children do. We work through affinity spaces to advocate for visibility, equity and recruitment. We promote the well-being of families who identify as APIDA and empower them by supporting their identified needs. 

    Black Family Alliance (BFA)
    The Black Family Alliance is an affinity group for Crossroads parents and guardians who identify as having Black/African heritage and/or whose children do. Our mission is to provide these families with opportunities to connect, share and grow together as a community. The BFA is committed to initiatives that support the recruitment, retention, learning, well-being and advancement of Black/African heritage-identifying students and families at Crossroads. 

    Jewish Family Alliance (JFA)
    The Jewish Family Alliance is an affinity group for Crossroads parents and guardians committed to the well-being of Jewish heritage-identifying students and families at Crossroads. Our mission is to celebrate, support confidence and positive identity development and provide families with opportunities to connect, share and grow together with the greater Crossroads community. With antisemitism reaching record highs in our lifetimes, this affinity group hopes to create a sense of safety, pride and preparedness that will benefit our students in college and beyond.

    Juntos Family Alliance
    Juntos (Together in English) is a bilingual space. The mission of Juntos is to foster, support and celebrate the cultural heritage of Crossroads families and family members who identify as Latinx/e/o/a or Hispanic. Juntos is committed to advocacy that encourages the visibility, equity, recruitment and retention of Latinx and Hispanic families at Crossroads.

    Juntos es un espacio bilingüe. La misión de Juntos es fomentar, apoyar y celebrar la herencia cultural de las familias de Crossroads y de los miembros de las familias que se identifican como Latinx/e/o/a o hispanos. Juntos está comprometido a proveer apoyo que fomenta la visibilidad, la equidad, el reclutamiento y la retención de familias latinas e hispanas en Crossroads.

    PRISM
    This LGBTQ+ Family Alliance is an affinity group for Crossroads parents and guardians who identify as LGBTQ+ and/or who have children at Crossroads–or other close family members–who identify as LGBTQ+. Our mission is to provide a safe space for LGBTQ+ families, an opportunity for community and connection and a platform for LGBTQ+ education and advocacy, so that our families and our children have a strong foundation in the larger Crossroads community from which to grow and thrive.

  • Faculty/Staff Affinity Groups

    • BIPOC Affinity
    • White Anti-Racist Accountability Group

  • Alumni Programming

    The Crossroads Alumni Office hosts an annual Alumni of Color Reception. Attendees discuss their Crossroads journeys, sit in Council and mingle with students and current/former faculty of color.
     

Diversity and Inclusion

Conferences & Speakers
The diversity and inclusion work taking place at Crossroads doesn’t exist in isolation. Our students and employees engage with guest speakers and attend local and national conferences, contributing to the important discussions taking place and turning ideas into meaningful action.

Conferences

Members of the Crossroads community participate in local and national conferences, workshops, seminars, and roundtables to gain new insights, create personal connections and develop leadership skills. By providing opportunities for conference participants to examine biases, challenge stereotypes, affirm identities and take action towards positive change, we strive to create an inclusive school community where all members can be their authentic selves.

List of 2 items.

  • Student Conferences

    Students have recently attended:
    • Across Colors Conference
    • NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference
    • Pollyanna Conference
    • SLIDE Conference
    • ASEA Conference
    • LA ISLA Conference

  • Faculty/Staff Conferences

    • Across Colors Conference
    • NAIS People of Color Conference
    • Pollyanna Conference
    • ASEA Conference
    • LA ISLA Conference
    • Unmasking Whiteness
    • LGBTQ Educators Gathering

Guest Speakers

Every division hosts accomplished guest speakers to address students on topics related to diversity and inclusion. Recently, National Book Award-winner Jacqueline Woodson and illustrator Rafael López visited the Elementary School and spoke about overcoming feeling like an outsider. Author Ellen Oh addressed Middle Schoolers about the need for diversity in young adult literature. And the Upper School Persian Student Union hosted an assembly in support of civil rights in Iran. 

In addition, acclaimed speakers address students, employees and parents through the Crossroads Equity & Justice Institute’s Younes and Soraya Nazarian Equity & Justice Distinguished Lecture Series. This series is free and open to the public. Learn more.

Elementary School

Norton Campus
1715 Olympic Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Phone: 310-828-1196

Middle & Upper School

21st Street Campus
1714 21st Street
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Phone: 310-829-7391

Quick Links

© 2023 Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences