LiberatED Consulting

Advocacy isn’t just about politics—it’s about how we show up in our workplaces and communities every day. How are you using your voice to push for equity where you are?

DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) isn’t just under attack from the outside—it’s also being watered down from within. Too often, organizations claim to value equity but respond to challenges with representation metrics instead of real change. Instead of shifting practices, policies, and structures, they settle for symbolic gestures that do little to transform workplaces or communities. True equity work requires action. It requires courage. It requires making sure: ? Your people know they’re safe. If you employ, serve, or work alongside undocumented people, mixed-status families, trans and nonbinary folks, or others being actively targeted, do they know what protections and resources exist within your organization? Do they know they will be supported, not abandoned, in a crisis? ? Your commitments aren’t conditional. Can your team trust that your values won’t waver just because DEIB is being challenged? Is your approach built for sustainability, not just when it’s convenient? ? Your actions match your words. Have you taken steps to ensure progress continues, rather than allowing fear to stall meaningful change? If these questions give you pause, there’s work to do. What does it look like to lead boldly in this moment? Let’s talk about it. ??

Why is it that, in a world that already withholds love from Black children, schools so often reinforce that absence? Again and again, I hear educators—of all backgrounds, including Black educators—say that Black children need more structure, more discipline, more control before they can access learning. But do they? What if instead of asking how much structure Black children need, we asked: ?? How often are we denying them joy, trust, and autonomy? ?? Why do we assume that love and high expectations are opposites, instead of intertwined? ?? What would it look like to build learning environments where Black children feel affirmed first, rather than corrected first? The reality is, Black children deserve more than just “structure”—they deserve curiosity, care, and the kind of learning spaces that see them fully. So, I ask: Why do so many schools center compliance instead of connection for Black students? And what does it take to shift that reality? Would love to hear your thoughts. Drop them in the comments. ????

Beautifully designed read aloud unit teaching young learners to appreciate difference and diversity. With so much hate being spewed, now more than ever it’s critical we teach students empathy and how to love themselves and connect with people different than themselves. Check it out!

12 years ago, this dance almost cost her reputation. Last night at the Super Bowl, it made her a legend. I know everyone is talking about Kendrick today, but last night, Serena Williams did the damn thing. It's funny to think that just a few years ago, this dance cause mayhem. The difference? The space she was in. At Wimbledon: → "What she did was immature and classless" - Fox Sports → "Separated from the violence associated with that dance" - LA Times → Faced pressure to apologize for... celebrating her gold medal At the Super Bowl: → Surrounded by Kendrick Lamar's unapologetic Blackness → Standing alongside other Black artists owning their narratives → Free to be joyful, petty, and gloriously herself → Even joked backstage: "Man I did not crip walk like that at Wimbledon... I would've been fined!" Let that sink in. Some context: → 79% of Black women report having to change their behavior at work to make others comfortable (Catalyst) → 54% of Black women leaders report feeling pressure to modify their communication style or appearance (McKinsey) → Companies with inclusive cultures are 2x more likely to meet or exceed financial targets (Deloitte) Here's the truth: When we create spaces where Black women don't have to shrink... When we center Black voices and experiences... When we celebrate instead of police Black joy... Magic happens. And sometimes that magic looks like a tennis GOAT doing the crip walk on the world's biggest stage, right after her ex got dissed, while millions cheer. That's not just pettiness. That's not just dancing. That's freedom. The real question: Why does this freedom only exist in certain spaces? And what are we doing to change that? Because if Serena Williams—23 Grand Slams, greatest of all time—couldn't be her full self at Wimbledon but found the freedom to dance without apology at a Black-centered Super Bowl halftime show... Just think about how many Black women are still holding back their magic. Still dimming their light. Still dancing smaller than they dream. The blueprint is clear: Create the space. Center Black joy. Step aside. Watch magic happen. ?????

It was great facilitating for Milwaukee Succeeds and the other great organizations looking to change the game in Milwaukee WITH Milwaukee's youth. #liberatorythinking #codesign #youthempowerment #liberatorydesign

Grateful to be alongside so many great organizations doing incredible work and necessary work in Milwaukee! #collectiveimpact #educationalequity

Earlier this month, I co-planned and organized the EmpowerED MKE Convening in my role as a co-facilitator of the K12 Civic Action Team. The convening brought together families, educators, and community members to talk about the future of education in Milwaukee and what it will take to create equitable opportunities for Black students. Thank you to everyone who participated, shared their insights, and continues to advocate for a brighter future for Milwaukee’s youth. Let’s keep building together! Check out the write up about it from Milwaukee Succeeds! Maria Hamidu David Emmanuelle Castillo (Cualliyolteotl) Angela Harris Carl D. Greer, MSW, MA Lauren Feaster dr. monique liston Jason M. Holton Kristin Kappelman Thomas L. Leonard Howard Fuller #EmpowerEDMKE #MilwaukeeSucceeds #EquityInEducation #communityengagement #communitypower #accountability #collectiveimpact

Meet our Featured Member of the Month, Clintel Hasan! Clintel is the co-founder of LiberatED Consulting, shaking up the education world by addressing race, class, power, and privilege. Previously, she was the Strategic Initiatives Manager at Milwaukee Succeeds, working for educational equity in Milwaukee and leading their High School Success initiative, Youth Forward MKE and co-leading Milwaukee’s K12 Covid-19 Civic Response Team. Read more about #PDMember, Clintel as she?embarks on her journey to champion equity and empower communities: https://lnkd.in/dkbjS9WG . . . #professionaldimensions #followtherings #pdwomen

"In the exquisite tapestry of life, Black women have long been the unspoken heroines, the invisible seamstresses weaving together the fabric of communities and families. Often they bear the dual burden of societal expectations and systemic injustices, weathering the storm with grace and resilience. However, in this formidable dance, the drumbeat of responsibility frequently drowns out the rhythm of self care. Black women, I implore you to honor the sacred space within, to dance to the melody of self care and to permit yourselves the grace to rest." - Elizabeth Leiba, Protecting My Peace I am excited to announce that in the coming months, I will be facilitating numerous Black women affinity spaces focused on self-care and healing. As I embark on these important engagements, I am reminded of the complex duality of our existence. On one hand, we are on the brink of witnessing the historic possibility of a Black woman ascending to the highest office in the land as the Commander in Chief. This monumental achievement stands in stark contrast to the heartbreaking reality within the same 24-hour news cycle, where we witness the tragic loss of a Black woman, Sonya Massey, murdered by police in her own home. We find ourselves balancing these two stark realities – the promise of progress and the painful persistence of systemic injustice. In these affinity spaces, we will not only celebrate our triumphs but also create a haven for healing, reflection, and collective strength. Together, we will navigate these contrasting truths, drawing power from our shared experiences and fostering a community where every Black woman feels seen, heard, and cherished. Let's honor our stories, prioritize our self-care, and build a future where the rhythm of self-care and justice resonate in harmony. #SelfCare #Healing #BlackWomen #AffinitySpaces #ElizabethLeiba #ProtectingMyPeace #Community #Resilience #Strength #SonyaMassey