Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Mission Statement:
The Buffalo Public School District is Moving to the Next Level. The district is moving beyond tolerance of differences to embracing and celebrating the rich dimensions of difference contained within each stakeholder. As such, we are committed to recognizing, prioritizing, and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) throughout our district.
The mission of the Office of DEI is to foster an environment for all stakeholders that is mutually respectful, safe, equitable, and inclusive; where everyone is welcomed, accepted, equally valued, and celebrated across differences without requiring adaptation to the central norm. These efforts will foster an educational ecosystem where everyone feels like they belong, and every person's potential can be realized and brought to fruition.
Utilizing various means of data collection, we have and continue to identify the DEI areas in which we are excelling as well as the areas that need modification. BPS has begun implementing necessary changes, including recognizing, and eliminating bias and privilege in our policies, procedures, and practices. We are taking on this challenging work to ultimately make positive changes related to any and all forms of racism, bias, exclusion and discrimination in the district. As we expand this work, we will increase the number of stakeholders who are participating in the DEI process at BPS.
Our focus on DEI aligns with the district’s mission, vision, and 5 by 25 goals, and will inform our work as we continue with further discourse, professional development, and action as a way to support students, families, BPS staff and the overall community. Our focus thus far has concentrated on assessing the cultural competence of the district, including but not limited to the following areas:
Organizational & Individual Cultural Competence
Implicit Bias & Microaggressions
Inclusive Leadership
District Climate & Staff Morale
Recruitment and Retainment of a
Diverse Workforce
Resource Allocation & Contracting Equity
Organizational DEI Strengths & Gaps
Leadership, Staff and Stakeholder DEI & Cultural Competency Training
Antoinette M. Amos M.A.
Chief Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Officer
Buffalo Public Schools
810 City Hall
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 816-3500
amamos