Walden Equity (W.E.)
Walden Equity (W.E.) is a group of faculty, staff, Board members, and parent volunteers brought together by a collective goal of increasing the social responsibility, justice, equality, and inclusivity of our school community. Through our work together, we seek to create a community where you belong—as an individual and a family.
W.E. holds workshops, discussions, and events throughout the year to thoughtfully open honest dialogues about Walden’s progress relating to these goals and to challenge our community to think critically about the four pillars of identity, diversity, justice, and action.
Upcoming Event:
Raising Community: The Independent School Family Journey
A discussion with "Conversations That Speak" curator Ralinda Watts
Wednesday, March 11
6:00 p.m.
Toby Hayward Community Room
Walden School, 74 S. San Gabriel Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91107
What does it mean to raise children in independent schools — communities shaped by traditions, evolving practices, and the many families who bring them to life?
This interactive workshop invites parents and caregivers to reflect together on how we build authentic connections, navigate decision-making, and better understand the culture of independent school communities. Through conversation and shared reflection, we will explore how families partner with schools to nurture belonging, care, and a sense of shared responsibility for the well-being of the community.
Drawing on Ralinda’s work and research with families and school communities, the session will offer practical ideas for strengthening relationships, encouraging open dialogue, and noticing patterns that can influence how people experience school life. Together, participants will explore ways we can contribute to a community where every family feels welcomed, respected, and valued.
This event is part of the “Conversations That Speak” series curated by RalindaSpeaks, designed to spark thoughtful dialogue and meaningful connection. We hope you will join us for an evening of learning, conversation, and community.
Child care with a pizza dinner is available with registration for currently enrolled Walden students at $15/child.
About Ralinda Watts
A native of Los Angeles, Ralinda Watts is a cultural commentator, speaker, consultant, educator, and writer shaping conversations at the intersection of identity, culture, sports, and community. A contributor for PopSugar and quoted expert in The Los Angeles Times, her thought leadership bridges education, media, and community impact. Through her platform RalindaSpeaks, she curates authentic conversations that advance equity and belonging.
Ralinda earned her M.Ed. from Columbia University, where her research focused on the recruitment and retention of educators from underrepresented backgrounds and the groundbreaking "Black@"social media movement. Her cultural commentary and journalism reflect a deep commitment to truth-telling, healing, and transformation—particularly through the lens of Black identity, womanhood, and community care.
Identity
We recognize that each person in our community identifies in multiple groups in society and across a spectrum of cultures. These identities interact to create unique and complex individuals. Learning to understand and negotiate identity in multiple spaces is a life-long practice. Our work is for all to express pride, confidence, and healthy self-esteem without denying the value and dignity of others.
Diversity
Our response to diversity is rooted in empathy, respect, understanding, and connection. We seek to be respectfully curious of one another and our lived experiences, and commit to examining diversity in social, cultural, political, and historical contexts. Developing language and knowledge to describe our similarities and differences allows us to exchange ideas and beliefs in an open-minded way. We work together to create a community where everyone has a seat at the table, and create a safe space to speak, share, and learn.
Justice
It is important to recognize that power and privilege influence relationships on interpersonal, intergroup, and institutional levels, and consider how we all have been affected by those dynamics. We foster investigations that challenge assumptions, conventional wisdom, and the status quo. We actively work to uncover attitudes, behaviors, and systems that exclude, silence and erase voices and histories.
Action
We recognize that studying these ideas can only change us. Only then can we recognize our own personal responsibility to stand up to and make principled decisions when we notice or experience exclusion, prejudice, and injustice. We explore ways to actively participate in this community and the broader world to make improvements that foster diversity, equity, justice, and inclusion on all levels.
How to Get Involved
Walden Equity is here to help you process questions, discover answers, and reflect on your own journey. The work of W.E. is also Walden Explained. We intentionally create experiences to learn from one another, support each other in fostering our children’s growth, and provide the tools to process the experience of a progressive education for the whole family.
Incorporate the 'Multicultural Guidelines for Communicating Across Differences' Language Into Your Conversations
VISIONS, Inc. Guidelines for Inclusivity
Try On
Try on each other’s ideas, feelings, and ways of doing things for the purpose of greater understanding. Keep what you like and let go of the rest at the end of each interaction, discussion, session, or meeting.
Okay to Disagree; Not Okay to Blame or Attack Ourselves or Others
When we let go of the need to be, think, or act the same, then differences can be fully expressed and valued.
Practice “Self-Focus” and Use “I” Statements
Begin by talking about your own experience. It is helpful to make “I” statements when speaking about your experience, rather than saying “you,”“we,” or “one.” When you intend to refer to others, be specific about them by name or group. This invites and creates space for multiple perspectives to be shared—especially when they are different from yours.
Practice "Both/And" Thinking
Both/and thinking keeps the lines of communication open, whereas either/or/but language implies that there is one way to think or do. Both/and creates collaborative, inclusive thinking.
Notice Process and Content
How we get there is just as important and what we do and say.
Be Aware of Intent and Impact
Be aware that your good intentions may have a negative impact—especially across racial, gender, or other cultural differences. Be open to hearing the impact of your statement.
- If you want to “stretch” yourself—seek the feedback from the individual before they bring it to your attention.
- Notice who’s active and who’s not, who’s interested and who’s not, and ask about it.
Confidentiality with regard to personal sharing is important.
You can carry the work of the group, your own learning, stories, and perspectives, and the public work from the group. Allow others to tell their own stories.
- Ask first to see if an individual wants to follow-up on the initial conversation.
- Do not use any information shared negatively towards a progress report or against a supervisor.