CREATING OPPORTUNITY

CONNECTING US ALL

“WE HAVE TO SEE THIS ENDEAVOR AS ESSENTIAL, NOT MANDATORY…AS A PREREQUISITE TO OUR COLLECTIVE DESTINY.”

– Dax-Devlon Ross, Sidwell Friends graduate 1993; author of “Letters to My White Male Friends”

“WE HAVE TO SEE THIS ENDEAVOR AS ESSENTIAL, NOT MANDATORY…AS A PREREQUISITE TO OUR COLLECTIVE DESTINY.”

– Dax-Devlon Ross, Sidwell Friends graduate 1993,
author of “Letters to My White Male Friends”

CREATING OPPORTUNITY. CONNECTING US ALL.

“WE HAVE TO SEE THIS ENDEAVOR AS ESSENTIAL, NOT MANDATORY…AS A PREREQUISITE TO OUR COLLECTIVE DESTINY.”

– Dax-Devlon Ross, Sidwell Friends graduate 1993,
author of “Letters to My White Male Friends”

Mission

To help close the opportunity gap for students and families of color at local independent schools by bringing the diverse DMV community together to empower students, create opportunity, build understanding, and activate change.

Parents

Parents are the driving force behind CONNECTdmv. Programs that are especially created for-and-by parents include our Empowerment Speaker Series, Finding Success at Independent Schools night, and multiple social events. Non-BIPOC parents – our allies – are also a big part of our CONNECTdmv, thus the “Connecting Us All” half of our tagline. We all need to work together as part of our “collective destiny.” If any parent would like to become a Parent Connector (parent rep) at your child’s school please email us at Patricia@connectdmv.org.

DEI Leaders

Our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion partners are spearheading true change at DMV independent schools. CONNECTdmv complements their work and, together, we have created DMV-wide, multi-school events since 2016. Come see these dynamic leaders speak at these events, on panels, and as keynote speakers. Thanks, in part, to their partnership, we have been running a shuttle bus for families since 2016. CONNECTdmv appreciates the relationship we have with DMV schools and our DEI friends. We’re better together.

Students

CONNECTdmv is for middle schoolers and high schoolers interested in being engaged and empowered in their school community. Students can join our Scholars cohort as early as 9th grade, giving them inside access to programming that other students may not receive. This free, four-year program is designed to enrich students’ studies and leadership experiences and these student leaders serve as our Student Connectors/student reps within the schools, similar to the role our Parent Connectors have.

PROGRAMS

Projects for Change

DMV independent school students have been working diligently with CONNECTdmv to create and organize a reimagined, four-month student engagement program, Projects for Change (“PfC”).

TESTIMONIALS

“I encourage parents/guardians to get connected with CONNECTdmv, a wonderful organization! It has many great programs and activities that provide students information, guidance, mentoring, and the opportunity to network. Students can make contacts in their interested field or a field they might be considering. Their Career Networking Event & Mentoring Program, plus their Professional Insights Career Tour, are among the many events that students have the opportunity to take part in. My daughter, Sami, has taken part in many events/programs over the years. She is now in the Scholars program, a multi-year opportunity to give back and develop leadership skills.”

– Martine Rodriquez, Edmund Burke School parent