Carolyn Coles
Curriculum Designer & Equity Coach
I was born and raised in Wilmington, Delaware, but home has been Virginia, El Salvador, China, Colorado and presently California. I work in racial and ethnic understanding, empowerment and justice. I have been engaged in this practice of line blurring for quite some time. I credit my upbringing and unique family structure for creating my audacity to require more from humanity. I believe that people are the true treasure of our existence. It is our privilege to be able to know each other and possible aid in our journeys. We should engage each other with such a sentiment: curiosity, awe and gratitude. I have worked towards this goal in a few different professional disciplines: education reform, economic development, and since 2015, criminology. I am pursuing my doctorate in Criminology, Law & Society at the University of California, Irvine. My work focuses on police training and holistic reconfiguration of justice.
What does an equitable world look like to you?
An equitable world is one in which folks can show up to any space, fully and authentically without fear of negative reaction, negative judgement, malice or bodily harm. A world where we are able to flow freely in our gifts while earning a wage conducive to our style of existence. I am excited for a future that does not profit off of the "other" but instead embraces those quirks that make us uniquely individual or a collective community.
What do participants take away from the Equity Labs?
So often adults are not given a space to interrogate their own 'isms'. We are taught that we must already be [insert choice term] and are often chastised for engaging in the journey, unleashing the vulnerable and boldly confessing "I don't know". This is an authentic space to explore that. You will be challenged and pushed but also equipped with tools and applaud for imagining. Its a fresh take on what is possible by allowing you to set the pace of your own growth.
Who is someone you admire and why?
Bozoma Saint John, she is fierce and shows up fully in traditionally oppressive spaces.
If you could travel anywhere right now, where would you go?
Bangkok, Thailand, its the last place I felt at peace.
Connect with Carolyn at ccarolyn.michelle@gmail.com
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