OUR FOUNDERS
We have been where you are. We know that developing more equitable and inclusive organizations is as complex as it is rewarding. We have stood in the shoes of the leader making a difficult decision and the employee being impacted by their leaders’ decisions.
We have spent our careers as frontline workers in schools and nonprofits experiencing the everyday challenges and victories that occur when an organization makes a long-term commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). As two queer people of color, we understand the complexity of this work in deeply personal ways; it requires dedication to building trust and authentic relationships, in addition to better policies. We are committed to working with organizations to implement bold transformative change by addressing structural inequities, building internal capacity, and empowering all stakeholders to drive decision-making.
HOW WE DO THE WORK
We believe that the foundation of true transformative work is relationships. We take our time to get to know our clients and the challenges they face, as well as the assets they currently hold. We believe that everything that is needed to create positive change, already exists. We prioritize the process over the result because as Navajo Chief Justice Robert Yazzie says, “You can’t get to a good place in a bad way.”
We are unapologetically pro-Black and pro-Indigenous. We center the voices, scholarship, and experiences of Black women and femmes; Indigenous folks; queer and trans people of color; and disability justice activists in our work.
We recognize that we are continual learners and there are times where we may fall short of this vision. We are committed to our own growth as individuals and as a business and welcome accountability from our community as we work to embody these values.
EVAN SOKEN (he/him)
“There is no such thing as a single-issue struggle because we do not lead single-issue lives.”
Evan is an educator, mental health professional, and artist who is committed to creating transformative relationships grounded in care & radical honesty; deep relational work coupled with structural change produces powerful outcomes. Through his work with both organizations and individuals, he believes that meaningful change requires us to root our actions in critical reflection and accountability to the people most impacted by our services and decisions.
Evan began his career as a teaching fellow in Boston, MA and has spent the subsequent decade working in college access & success organizations supporting low-income, first-generation high school students. As both a frontline service provider and founding program director he’s supported hundreds of students & families, designed and implemented culturally-responsive curriculum, managed community partnerships, and collaborated on organizational change plans. Evan has led multiple equity & inclusion initiatives including a DEI Strategic Planning team for the Breakthrough Collaborative and launching a professional learning communities program. Evan is currently earning a Masters in Social Work from the University of California, Berkeley.
Outside of work & study, Evan is a photographer and digital artist. He is also an avid cook and baker who loves building community through shared food. Evan currently lives in Oakland, CA with his partner and two cats.
NOELANI GABRIEL HOLT (she/her)
“The barriers of racism, discrimination, concentrated poverty, access to college...cannot be eradicated by tweaking the system or making adjustments. We must struggle together not only to reimagine schools but to build new schools that we are taught to believe are impossible.”
Noelani is a school leader and consultant dedicated to establishing joyful and rigorous learning environments where all scholars are supported to demonstrate excellence in academics and character. She believes the key to unlocking the transformative power of education for young people lies in the strength of the village surrounding them. Noelani was born and raised in Springfield, Massachusetts with familial roots in the deep south. Her passion for education is heavily influenced by her upbringing, where she was often surrounded by relatives who were educators.
Noelani began her career as a high school English teacher in Boston, inspiring her passion to help students find agency and voice through writing. She moved on to work as a nonprofit program director and school administrator, where she wore many hats including leading student recruitment and admissions, family partnerships, social-emotional learning, culture, and professional development. She is now the current principal of Girls Prep Bronx Elementary II.
Noelani holds a B.A. in Africana Studies from Cornell University, an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Teaching from Boston University, and a professional certificate in restorative justice practices from Suffolk University in 2022. Noelani has been recognized for her work with several honors including the 30 Under 30 Changemakers award from the National Public Charter School Alliance, a grant from the Abolitionist Teaching Network, and first place for an essay focused on school discipline disparities for Black girls from the National Council for Black Studies.
In her spare time, Noelani enjoys playing pick-up basketball, going to boxing classes, spending time with loved ones, and contributing to the community. She is a member of The Teachers’ Lounge Advisory Board – an organization dedicated to the recruitment, revitalization, and retention of educators of color in Massachusetts. After six years in the Boston area, Noelani now resides in New York City with her wife and two cats.