DIVERSITY , EQUITY , AND INCLUSION ( DEI )
This past July , with the approval of the Fordham Prep Board of Trustees , the Prep published an action plan on Diversity , Equity , and Inclusion ( DEI ) to outline the school ’ s commitment to addressing racism and discrimination in the school community . One important aspect was to officially establish the DEI Department under the leadership of veteran Fordham Prep faculty – Director Randall Pedro P ’ 12 , ’ 17 and Assistant Director Craig Smith , PhD . DEI , in collaboration with the Office of Mission Integration and Planning , will develop specific steps to ensure the continued and expanded implementation of these commitments and to monitor the impact with our students and the broader community .
We recently sat down with Mr . Pedro and Dr . Smith to ask them about their roles and how it aligns with the school ’ s Jesuit mission . * Answers have been slightly edited for space and grammar .*
What do you both see as your roles in leading the Diversity , Equity , and Inclusion department at Fordham Prep ?
When we talk about DEI , we ’ ve been doing this work at school , but this is a title change . The title change recognizes this is a collective school wide effort to celebrate diversity . We are working together to bring the community together to celebrate diversity . Diversity is the valuation of every individual in the building and it is everyone ’ s responsibility to be part of that mission .
The DEI ’ s plan is extensive and will take time to implement . What are your goals for the year with that framework ?
Along with Brian Carney ( VP of Mission Integration and Planning ), we are creating a task force with members of the
38 RAMVIEW community - Board of Trustees , faculty , staff , students , and parents - to come together to look at the initiatives outlined in the Action Plan and see what the best practices are in implementing them within our Jesuit community . Then we will make recommendations as to how we can implement aspects of the DEI plan in our community effectively . It is extensive , but we are doing extensive work around it .
How is your work aligned with the school ’ s Jesuit mission and identity ?
It ’ s aligned terrifically with the school ’ s mission . It ’ s an embodiment of the school ’ s mission . How can you be a “ Man for Others ” and not care for those distressed in the community ? DEI gives us a different lens to view the world , but to still live out our mission and to be who we are supposed to be .
To view the complete interview and learn more about our ongoing Diversity , Equity , and Inclusion work , please visit fordhamprep . org / dei .
From Harlem to Harvard to Hollywood , George Jackson ’ 76 made an impact wherever he went , including Fordham Prep . He entered into the television and movie industry shortly after college and started his own production company , producing movies and television shows , in the late 1980s . In 1997 , George was hired as president and chief executive officer of Motown Records . Unfortunately , George died in 2000 from a stroke . In 2020 , the George Jackson Initiative was created to provide support to Black students at Fordham Prep through tuition assistance , mentoring opportunities with Black alumni , and providing resources to thrive , succeed , and graduate from Fordham Prep .
We will share more about these programs in the coming weeks or months .