The Future of Work is Diverse, Inclusive, Just and Equitable
GlobalMindED closes the equity gap by creating a capable, diverse talent pipeline through connections to role models, mentors, internships for low-income students, returning adults, First Gen to college and inclusive leaders who teach them, work with them and hire them.
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Creating More Just, Equitable and Inclusive Learning Environments for Children:
Meet Dr. Rana Razzaque,
Director of Opportunity, Access, and Inclusion at Englewood Schools
Dr. Rana Razzaque (she/her) is a Muslim Bangladeshi-American woman. She received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in English Literature from the University of Texas at Austin and Arizona State University, respectively, and focused her thesis research on the impact of literary influence on colonizing South Asia in the 17th century. She earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Denver and focused her dissertation research on how mindfulness influences the culturally responsive practices of educators. Dr. Razzaque is currently the Director of Opportunity, Access, and Inclusion at Englewood Schools in Colorado. Her work intersects culturally responsive and sustaining practices with social-emotional learning and transformative educational leadership. She has facilitated workshops for organizations and conferences across the United States. Dr. Razzaque’s mission is to transform our systems to heal individual and structural oppression and establish communities of radical care and belonging.
What is your personal/professional story?
I immigrated to the United States from Bangladesh when I was four years old and was raised in Maryland, before moving to Texas just before high school. Now I live in Denver, Colorado with my incredible husband and sweet dog. My Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees are in English Literature, and my Doctorate is in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. I have always loved to learn but had a tough time feeling at ease in school. When I started kindergarten, I barely spoke English and was initially placed in Special Education programming, which wouldn’t have actually met my language needs. Thankfully, my aunt successfully advocated for me to stay in general education, but I still had to figure out how to learn English on my own. I remember many marginalizing moments while in school, but I didn’t have anyone to talk to about the lack of belonging I felt. This led to the belief that the issue was me, rather than the system that didn’t take into account my needs, or the needs of other children who were not white, wealthy, Christian, English-speaking, straight, cisgender, and without disabilities. That said, there were also many moments when I did feel joy, and belonging, as well as a sense of pride in my identity. My experiences on both sides of that spectrum guide me every day. The north star for my work is always considering what is best for marginalized kids. If we design our systems with the most vulnerable members of our community at the center, then those systems will benefit everyone. I am honored and humbled to be the Director of Opportunity, Access, and Inclusion in Englewood Schools, Colorado, where I get to help create a more just, equitable, and inclusive learning environment for children in my community.
What key moments in your life led you to where you are today?
Between my cultural, religious, and linguistic differences, combined with changing schools often because we had to move, it was difficult for me to feel grounded and deeply connected to others when I was a kid. I vividly remember many of the students and teachers who made life hard, and I also remember the champions who loved and supported me. In fourth grade, Ms. Marlo made me feel valued for the diverse and unique parts of my identity. In middle school, when I was getting into trouble for acting out, Mr. Ware invited me to become a Peer Mediator. That was a pivotal moment inspiring me to become an educator myself. During my doctoral coursework, I developed a friendship with Dr. Ellen Miller-Brown, who continues to be a brilliant equity thought partner. I owe so many of my educators and loved ones for allowing me to stand on their shoulders. More than anything, I am grateful to my parents for instilling respect for education beginning with the moment I was born. My mother didn’t have the opportunity to go to high school, yet she is one of the smartest people I know. She is an avid reader and a feminist to the core. Both my parents left everything they knew to move to a foreign place so they had better access and opportunities; their sacrifice was perhaps the biggest factor in getting me to where I am today.
Where does your passion to serve come from?
My passion stems from my hopes for the future, my own past experiences, my ancestral wisdom, and my cultural identity. My own experiences as well as those I have witnessed over the years catalyze me to seek a just and equitable future, and I believe that education is one of the most crucial elements in bridging disparities in job opportunities, health outcomes, economic justice, criminal justice, mental health and wellbeing, and so much more. The thing is, education in the United States was never designed to meet the needs of all kids. We keep tweaking the system to better serve marginalized groups, but outcomes have been stagnant generation after generation. Each system is designed to produce the outcomes it is getting, so my mission is to seek social justice by moving beyond small tweaks to true transformation.
How can GlobalMindED help you reach your goals?
My first experience with GlobalMindED was attending the 2023 GlobalMindED conference. It was one of the most diverse conferences I have attended, and I felt a sense of home, being in community with other historically marginalized folks from around the country serving in a variety of roles. I also appreciated the multitude of learning tracks. Since I am a K-12 educator, I often don’t have the opportunity to learn alongside people from the corporate and higher education sectors. So, I appreciated the stimulating conversations and ideas we generated by working together instead of in separate siloes. GlobalMindED’s commitment to inclusion and equity was woven into every session, so I was able to gain a lot of insight into how I can better serve my local and global community through my work.
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If you are a leader at a district, college, company, non-profit, or foundation supporting GlobalMindED’s Tenth Anniversary event in Denver on June 17 (pre-conference + Inclusive Leader Awards dinner) 18-19 (conference) 2024, you are eligible to attend our Fall special event:
Transforming Financial Boundaries in Education, the Environment, and the Economy
Thursday, October 12th
United Nations DDR
Last Fall’s special event was at Georgia Tech:
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GlobalMindED Resolve to Solve Atlanta: Interview with Killer Mike Dr. Raheem Beyah; Dean, College of Engineering, GA Institute of Technology, and Rontavious Coley, Recent graduate, Owner of The Early Way on Broad, introduce Dr. Jean Accius; SVP, Global Thought Leadership, AARP who interviews global hip-hop sensation, Michael Render (aka Killer Mike) of Run The Jewels, who shares his personal vision of Love & Respect, which is also the title of his new PBS talk show.
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GlobalMindED Resolve to Solve Atlanta: Women Breaking Barriers In STEM Kwame Johnson; President and CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta leads the panel with Errika Moore; Executive Director, STEM Funders Network, Dr. Maxine Cain; Founder & President, STEM Atlanta Women, Valarie Mackey; President & CEO, WrightNow Solutions, Michelle Arrington; Director, Government Affairs, Verizon, and Nettie Brown; Graduate Engineering Student, GA Institute of Technology
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GlobalMindED Resolve to Solve Atlanta: Closing The Digital Divide Eric Kelly; Chairman & CEO, Bridge 2 Technologies leads the panel with Kristina Newton; Founder & CEO, HYPE, Richard Hicks; CEO & President, Inspiredu, Jaycee Holmes; Professor, Spelman College, Co-founder, CODEHOUSE, and Bryan Cox; Computer Science Program Specialist, Georgia Department of Education
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GlobalMindED Resolve to Solve Atlanta: The Future of Work is Diverse, Inclusive, Just, and Equitable Dr. Sybrina Atwaters; Director, OMED: Educational Services, GA Institute of Technology leads the panel with Guy Primus; CEO, Valence Community, Founding Member BONDS Network, Petal Walker, JD; Managing Director, Deloitte & Touche, James Rhee, JD; Founder and CEO, red helicopter, and Dr. Loretta Ovueraye; Vice Provost, Miami Dade College
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GlobalMindED Resolve to Solve Atlanta: Students Have Their Say Michael Steele, JD; Managing Associate, Thompson Hine LLP leads the panel with Mahogany Labor; Engineering Student, GA Institute of Technology, Ki’Andre Thomas; Student Government Association Undergraduate President, Clark Atlanta University, Angelique White; Student, Miami Dade College, and Jalene Hudson; Student, Georgia Highlands College
Write Celeste Gardner to reserve your space: Celestegardner@globalminded.org
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Plan Now for GlobalMindED's 10th Anniversary Conference June 17-19 2024 at the Denver Hyatt Regency
Registration and Call for Proposals Open August 1
See this 1-minute GlobalMindED 2023 at a glance video:
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PBS12 Denver filmed and live-streamed the GlobalMindED Inclusive Leader Awards on June 7th as well as our main stage plenaries and presentations on June 8th. You can find them all individually on the GlobalMindED YouTube channel.
2023 GlobalMindED Inclusive Leader Award Winners:
Miriam Calderon, Chief Policy Officer, ZERO TO THREE: Inclusive Leader - Early Childhood Education
Dr. David Miyashiro, Superintendent, Cajon Valley Union School District, Inclusive Leader - K-12 Education
Carrie Billy, CEO, American Indian Higher Education Consortium: Inclusive Leader - Higher Education
Afua Bruce, Founder & Principal, ANB Advisory Group: Inclusive Leader - Government
Dr. Elena Rios, President & CEO, National Hispanic Medical Association: Inclusive Leader - Health & Wellness
Hassan Salem, Head of Commercial Banking, US Bank: Inclusive Leader - Banking & Finance
Greg Robinson, James Webb Space Telescope Project Director NASA (ret): Inclusive Leader - Space & Aerospace
Mary Nichols, Professor, UCLA Institute of the Environment, Inclusive Leader - Energy & Sustainability
Michael Campbell, General Manager, Education Division, Intel: Inclusive Leader - Technology
Diego Mariscal, CEO & Chief Disabled Person, 2Gether-International: Inclusive Leader - Entrepreneurship
Mario Carrera, President & CEO, CLLARO: Inclusive Leader - Media & Arts
Nasruddin Rupani, Chairman, Ibn Sina Foundation: Inclusive Leader - Foundations & Funders
Rosanna Durruthy, VP, Global Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging, LinkedIn: Inclusive Leader -Global Impact
Kimberly Bryant, Founder & CEO, Black Innovation Lab; Black Girls Code: Inclusive Leader - Non-Profit
Insights from GlobalMindED Leaders:
Main-stage Presentatons:
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Would you like to give to support our student programs? You can scan the QR code below or go to our website to support our year-round programs. GlobalMindED is a 501c3.
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Thank you to all of the Sponsors, Speakers, Students, and Attendees at GlobalMindED 2023
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