Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Mission Statement

At Padua Academy, in the spirit of continuous improvement, it is the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee’s mission to increase awareness, dialogue, programming, and resource-sharing in an effort to provide advocacy, support, opportunities, and a sense of belonging to all people. Rooted in the Catholic belief in the human dignity of every person, we are committed to celebrating differences and fostering an environment of mutual respect through empathy, understanding, and curiosity.

The Alliance

The Alliance is a group of students who celebrate the diversity of the Padua sisterhood through sharing experiences and supporting one another and represents the following clubs: the Black Student Union, IDEA - Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Awareness Club, and the La Mezcla Club.

2024 - 2025 DEI Initiatives

Padua Academy Highlights on Culture and Community Engagement

Faculty & Student Orientation: Featured a Cultural Norms video and a Dream Board activity to inspire connection and reflection.
Cultural Norms Awards: Presented each Fall and Spring to a student from each grade and a faculty member for embodying Padua's values.
Culture Day: Students host a Food and Art Symposium showcasing diverse countries for faculty and staff in March.
Culture Bulletin Board: Dedicated to the “Represent Our Community” Cultural Norm, featuring:
- Fall: Panda-shaped cutouts with students' hopes for the school year.
- December: Star cutouts highlighting students’ unique gifts and contributions.
- February/March: “What is Your Dream?” theme in honor of Black History Month and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
- End of Year: “I’m Proud of Us” theme celebrating students’ accomplishments.

Community Events:

September 2024: Students attended the HBCU College Fair, organized by Padua Alumna Ashley Christopher, Founder and CEO of the HBCU Week Foundation.
February 2025: Padua students speak at St. Mary Magdalen Grade School's Respectability Day.
April 2025: Faculty will participate in Sacred Heart Academy’s Diversity Day in Bryn Mawr, PA.
May 2025: Students will attend the Her Legacy Celebration for Women’s History Month, hosted by Alumna Sara A. Crawford.

Culture Day at Padua Academy each year transforms our café into a vibrant global village, celebrating the diverse traditions, flavors, and colors of cultures from around the world. Organized by our dedicated Culture Crew, this event provides students with the opportunity to share their heritage through food, decorations, and storytelling, creating a rich tapestry of experiences. Culture Day not only showcases the beauty of our students’ backgrounds but also encourages a deeper understanding and appreciation of one another.

Previous DEI Initiatives

List of 4 items.

2023 - 2024 Initiatives
- Summer Reading for 2023 incoming freshmen addressed DEI topics, "Piecing Me Together."
- Cultural Norm video & dream board activity during Faculty & Student Orientation.
- Padua students attended the HBCU College Fair.
- Guest Speaker and Padua Alumna Ashley Christopher '03, founder and CEO of HBCU Week Foundation, walked our students through her time at Padua to where she is today.
- Guest Speaker and Padua Alumna Misty Johnson Oratokhai, COO of the National Children's Center, shared life lessons.
- Original Culture Crew members visited, discussing their college experiences and details of the Cultural Norms.
- Hosted our 1st "BSU Experience" The History of Hip-Hop Dance with guest speaker Reggie Oliver, a professional Hip-Hop Industry dancer, choreographer, and teacher.
- Guest speaker Daneya Jacobs, co-owner of Candy Connections, shared her entrepreneurial journey.
- Faculty PD that aligned with our Cultural Norms led by our DEI Committee.
- Panel of local fashion icons spoke to The Alliance: Sara Crawford - Experience Curator & Designer, Tia Jones - Personal Stylist and Wardrobe Creator, and Dell Scott - Fashion Designer and Entrepreneur
- Culture Day 2024 - student hosted Food and Art Symposium representing over 16 countries.
- Panel of local fashion icons spoke to The Alliance: Sara Crawford - Experience Curator & Designer, Tia Jones - Personal Stylist and Wardrobe Creator, and Dell Scott - Fashion Designer and Entrepreneur
- Neighbor Rev. Dr. Ronald W. Whitaker II, Senior Pastor at the Historic Mother African Union Church and college professor at Cabrini University and Duquesne University, spoke to the Alliance about DEI and Social Justice.
2022 - 2023 Initiatives
- Summer Readings for 2022 addressed DEI topics, "Piecing Me Together" and "Furia."
- Faculty Orientation PD: "Exploring a multi-faceted identity" and ADHD teaching practices to increase awareness on neurodiversity.
- Cultural Norm activities and introduction involving art, writing expression and discussion during the Student Orientation.
- Culture Day 2022 featuring diverse Alumnae Panel discussing international travel, study and work. A student hosted Food and Art Symposium representing over 18 countries.
- Full Implementation of "The Alliance" that represents our Affinity groups, La Mezcla, Black Student Union and I.D.E.A. (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Awareness)
2021 - 2022 Initiatives
- Moral Courage / Diversity without Division with Ishrad Manji, a program which focuses on teaching communication skills across divides (Professional development for DEI committee members).
- Orientation sessions presenting Cultural Norms to student body.
- Community Day sessions throughout the year highlighting Cultural Norms specific to each class.
- Active Listening sessions for freshmen, juniors, and seniors through Social Emotional Learning.
2020 - 2021 Initiatives
- Unconscious Bias Training Faculty Seminar with Taryn Guy and Lemar Thomas on Implicit Bias.
- Invisible Knapsack Senior Class Seminar addressing Privilege.
- Color Brave Faculty Seminar on going from being colorblind to color brave.
- NY Times Bestseller Renee Watson Lecture with Faculty and Affinity Groups. Time with the Author of "Piecing Me Together."

SPACER HERE

Peace Prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

SPACER HERE

The Culture Crew

Student involvement in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives at Padua Academy is driven by The Culture Crew, a group formed in 2021 to foster community awareness, inclusivity, and belonging. They were instrumental in creating and implementing Padua's Cultural Norms, which have become deeply woven into the fabric and rhythm of the student body.

The Culture Crew meets every other week to promote community awareness, inclusivity, and belonging at Padua. They organize events like Culture Day and work to enhance student programs that celebrate the unique qualities of each student.

With an open-door policy, students can join at any time during the year. Members are passionate about improving their peers' experiences and are highly active and dedicated. We are proud to have these cultural ambassadors leading such an important mission.

Cultural Norms

Padua Students from 2020-2021 created a student to student guideline on how they wish to see their school community interact. The students constructed what is now called the "Padua Academy Cultural Norms." These norms set the standard for how we see, treat and love one another on a daily basis.

DEI Committee

Padua Academy formed their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee in the Summer of 2020. It consists of a group of Faculty and Staff members that are dedicated to implementing awareness and education.

For more information, please contact:

Jennifer Vintigni, DEI Board Chair

Tori Closson, Padua Class of 1994, Coordinator of Student Culture