A Personal Note From Our Founder

Dear friends, 

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After the 2016 Presidential election, I channeled all of my pain, frustration, hope into starting Embracing Equity in January 2017. And in these last 8 years I’ve been fundamentally changed. I have become a wife, a mom, an author, a spokesperson, a devotee to the practice of therapy, a cycle breaker, and a human who is allowed to make mistakes and play. Embracing Equity has been the cocoon in which I have melted into jelly and transformed from the inside out. ‍

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And over the last 8 years, I’ve been deeply moved by the transformative healing that over 10,000 of us, impacting over 660,000 children, have done together as a community. And now we can say with a ton of credibility, quantitative and qualitative data, and third-party evaluations, that embracing equity WORKS! 

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When we cultivate mindsets, relationships, policies, and procedures that walk the talk of our DEI values, of our American, multiracial democracy, then we ensure that every person feels valued and included. Not surprisingly, that builds a stronger team and that stronger team can then achieve their critical mission. 

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We, at Embracing Equity, are a testament to that. It has been my honor to link arms with each of my team members – Rashi Jawade, Carly Riley, Dr. Nicole-Noelle Evans, Natane Lim, Dr. Katie Kitchens, Marianne Hunkin – all of whom have been generous teachers and accountability buddies. Embracing Equity is what it is and we are where we are and I get to transition now because of each of your unique contributions to it. 

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2024 has been one of our most dynamic years as we took a big step toward sustainability, despite setbacks with fundraising, despite this Presidential election. We’re fortifying our roots as an anti-racist, DEI education movement that will persist and heal — even when we are scared. We are with you in feeling uncertain and frankly scared, for the future of our country. But we know this much to be true: Embracing Equity will continue to be on the front lines of DEI and will now be a critical resource in filling the government gaps and, in the worst-case scenario, navigating government persecution for implementing DEI efforts. We are more committed than ever to embrace equity, to build inclusive communities, and to make space for everyone at the table. 

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As I look ahead to 2025, I’m more excited than ever for what’s next. 

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Celebrating New Leadership and Growth

Since founding Embracing Equity, I was intentional about steering clear of Founder’s Syndrome. It was crucial to me that Embracing Equity’s work not be bound to my personal identity or vision but instead evolve with the collective wisdom and dedication of our entire team. The work we do has never been about one person; it’s about a shared commitment to equity that will continue to flourish far into the future. 

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Together, we’ve built a professional home that’s honest and optimistic, aspirational yet grounded, and heartfelt with a commitment to seeing, hearing, and supporting all our learners and colleagues.

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Embracing Equity is a thoughtful, caring, and bold nonprofit organization. I am grateful for this opportunity of a lifetime: to have manifested a freedom dream into reality. I’m also thrilled to be able to let it go to let it grow and pass the baton to Rashi, the best leader I know.

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Embracing Equity is evolving into our next phase of growth and Rashi Jawade, my longtime colleague, co-leader, daughter’s godmother, and dear friend, will be Embracing Equity’s new CEO. 

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Why Rashi? 

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Rashi has an abundance of integrity. In a word, Rashi is integrity. Rashi delivers hard truths to you as an act of love, as a belief in your humanity. This unshakable commitment to living our values out loud, along with the millions of other things she is and does, is what not only gives me confidence but thrills me about what’s next for Embracing Equity.  

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Rashi and I have worked together for the past five years and I could not have asked for a better leader to steward this next era of Embracing Equity. 

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Always Learning, Always Growing

As a lifelong learner, I’m still learning that embracing equity is not just an outward, external practice; it must be inward. And that starts with having compassion and care for myself. That’s how I’ve approached this gentle and loving transition. I will always be a part of Embracing Equity, and it will always be a dear part of me. I have some other projects and interests, both personal and professional, awaiting, and I sincerely hope that you’ll stay in touch with me at daisyheyjinhan@gmail.com. 

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In the meantime, between now and December 31st, will you join me in celebrating this monumental milestone in Embracing Equity’s history (and future!) to propel us into 2025 and beyond? We’re raising $25,000 and it would mean the world to me if we had your support at this exciting moment in time. 

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Thank you sincerely for all your kind and generous support through the years. It’s been truly humbling and an absolute honor. I am so grateful for the vital work of embracing equity that we’ve done together as a community and as an organization that the world absolutely needs.

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In gratitude,

Daisy Han