Knowles BIPOC Community 

Knowles BIPOC Community

Beyond recruitment, there is a critical need to support the retention of teachers of color, especially those working in communities of color. Several Knowles Fellows have emphasized the importance of addressing the challenges of working in predominantly white spaces and fostering environments where teachers of color can experience joy and build community. In response, the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) group was formed in 2023/2024, led by Teaching Fellows Jose Lopez and Michelle Lo during its inaugural year, and by Knowles Teaching Fellows Albert David Valderrama and Christy Kim in 2024/2025. The group aims to develop year-long programming and facilitate ongoing discussions among Knowles Fellows, Senior Fellows, and staff on sustainability in teaching, culturally and linguistically responsive pedagogy, and community-building.