Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice

At Hawken School, we believe that our commitment to diversity, equity, and social justice is vital to the realization and cultivation of character and intellect in our students. This commitment is rooted in our mission of “forward-focused preparation for the real world through the development of character and intellect.”

Through our policies, programs, and practices, we actively promote a culture of respect, social awareness, and moral responsibility. Employees are expected to model and encourage intellectual growth and curiosity through the open and respectful exchange of ideas, thereby empowering students to think critically, challenge assumptions, engage in creative and collaborative problem solving, and learn from one another.

We honor the dignity of every human being, and we respect and value differences including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, political and social values, culture, religion, and physical ability.

We affirm our commitment to introducing the next generation to “a higher plane of life” and believe it is the responsibility of every member of our community to act with integrity, empathy, honesty, kindness, and compassion, ensuring that all constituents feel welcomed, accepted, respected, and valued. 

We understand that the continuing development of educational equity, cultural competency, and social justice is not always easy work; it requires a high level of personal awareness, ethical courage, and intellectual challenge. It also demands that we value all that makes us unique, explore perspectives that challenge our own, and initiate and engage in candid and courageous conversations. Our motto of Fair Play demands nothing less.

Darnell Epps, director of Fair Play across all of Hawken’s campuses, sits on Hawken’s Administrative Council and sees his position as a step toward realizing our aspirational goals for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice. “It’s important to have a designated person who can provide the resources and has the bandwidth to help lead this effort for students, teachers, and families.” Darnell has earned extraordinary respect for his DEIJ work with colleagues, students, and parents; his combination of empathy, collaboration, and situational judgement will provide the guidance, coordination, and insight needed to advance our DEIJ work moving forward.  

 

Having been situated at the Lyndhurst campus since 2018, Darnell will be primarily located at the Gates Mills campus for the 2022-23 year to deepen his understanding and relationships at the Upper School. New hire Loren Moyé, who comes to us from San Francisco Day School, will serve as Interim Director of DEIJ at the Lyndhurst campus. Darnell will continue to partner with the Mastery School DEIJ team to cultivate a culture of belonging and inclusivity as the school continues to grow.