The education system is responsible for laying the foundation of knowledge and experiences that prepare youth for adulthood, including careers and key life skills. However, many studies show that not all students are experiencing the education system in the same way, and for many, the outcomes are very concerning. Minority students often do not have access to important educational resources and representation in their teaching staff, both important factors in their academic success. On the other hand, they are more likely to be suspended and expelled, less likely to graduate, and often streamed into non-academic programming that limits their future opportunities. Low-income students suffer similarly poor outcomes as they are more likely to attend schools where funding is limited and resources are low-quality.
Education
Education
Achieve transformational results.
Though these issues occur repeatedly all across North America, much of the conversation revolves around why minority and low-income students are failing rather than examining how the education system has impacted their ability to succeed. The dominance of societal issues like Eurocentricity, ableism, heterosexism, and sexism that underpin school policies (like sexist dress codes and Eurocentric curricula) continue to go unnamed, undefined, and unaddressed. As these issues remain unresolved, students from equity-seeking groups will continue to experience disproportionate outcomes that will have long-term effects on their experience in a society that values academia as a determinant of success.
Education
KOJO Institute works with organizations and institutions within the education sector, including schools, school boards, and teachers associations to identify and address inequities within the system. From workshops and trainings to foster professional development for educators and other key staff to community consultations and data analysis to understand the key issues of inequity, we facilitate necessary processes and practices to begin the work towards more equitable outcomes for both students and staff. We work with organizations to develop and implement equity-based policies that address disparities and disproportionalities in the treatment and results of equity-seeking groups.
As an equity lens is applied to these organizations and institutions’ approach to education, we see more representative hiring of educators and support staff, less disproportionate and unduly harsh punishment of minority students, higher grades and graduation rates for low-income and racialized students, less biased policies that unfairly target or impact students because of their gender, race, or sexuality, and curricula that do not repeat or reinforce oppressive or discriminatory ideas.
8 Levers To Organizational, Institutional and Systems Change
- Engaging the Board of Directors
- Impacting Staffing Strategies
- Examining the Accountability Framework
- Maximizing the Use of Data
- Implementing Fresh Training and Learning
- Amplifying Communications Strategies
- Widening Community and Stakeholder Relations
- Revisting Service or Business Models
What We Do Well
- Equity & Human Rights
- Diversity & Inclusion
- Anti-Racism & Anti-Oppression
- Anti-Black Racism
- Employment Equity
- Human Resources Diversity
- Organizational Culture Change
How We Prepare You
- Training
- Executive Coaching
- Community Consultations
- Content & Research Development
- Keynotes & Guest Lectures
- Conferences
- Multi-Session Programs
Building Transformation Skills
KOJO Institute works with organizations and institutions within the education sector, including schools, school boards, and teachers associations to identify and address inequities within the system. From workshops and training to foster professional development for educators and other key staff to community consultations and data analysis to understand the key issues of inequity, we facilitate necessary processes and practices to begin the work towards more equitable outcomes for both students and staff. We work with organizations to develop and implement equity-based policies that address disparities and disproportionalities in the treatment and results of equity-seeking groups. .
As an equity lens is applied to these organizations and institutions’ approach to education, we see more representative hiring of educators and support staff, less disproportionate and unduly harsh punishment of minority students, higher grades and graduation rates for low-income and racialized students, less biased policies that unfairly target or impact students because of their gender, race, or sexuality, and curricula that do not repeat or reinforce oppressive or discriminatory ideas. Contact us.
What Our Clients Say
Development Manager, House of Friendship
Kike visited House of Friendship for a Leadership/Management training session last June. It was incredible and life-changing for many of us. Kike’s gift to the world is to be able to openly name and allow us to sit in the discomfort of this work, holding us accountable, but also not judging anyone. She created a…
Chair, London Police Services Board
The London Police Services Board asked Ms. Ojo-Thompson from the KOJO Institute to start off a day-long strategy session devoted to anti-racism in policing. Her presentation hit on all the right notes. In addition to challenging the Board to question long standing assumptions that are built upon racist legacies, she guided Board members towards actionable…
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Granting Committee Chair, Laidlaw Foundation
Laidlaw Foundation had the privilege and pleasure of having Kike Ojo-Thompson support our collective staff and board anti-oppression training. Our individual levels of awareness and competency on the issue was from ‘none’ to ‘well versed’. Regardless of where we were on the spectrum of knowing, she supported all of us, with patience and enthusiasm. Miigwetch…
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Co-President, BOLDforce for Salesforce Canada
Kike exceeded our expectations at Salesforce. She dynamically navigated audience demographics to provide extremely relevant Equity Training that stimulated immense conversation and insight. Her teachings should be at the centre of every organization’s strategy moving forward. I can’t wait to work with her again!
President, Eva’s Initiatives for Homeless Youth
We thought we already had a pretty good handle on equity, diversity, inclusion and Anti-Black Racism, but Kike’s presentation was enlightening. I have used her concepts several times since. Her style is energetic and engaging and she has a very positive manner. Our thirteen board members were engrossed by her work. Extremely effective.
Centre for Global Citizenship Education and Inclusion
Kike Ojo has the depth, knowledge and experience to engage participants of diverse backgrounds with highly complex subject matters that are relevant to all organizations. The sheer brilliance of her mind and ability to connect ideas is masterful, which allows everyone in the room to powerful moments of learning.