Rakeda A. Leaks

Executive Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging @Naperville Community Unit School District 203

Naperville, IL, US

Cabinet-level leadership role that leads the strategic and visionary diversity and inclusion priorities of the Superintendent\'s Office;• Develop, assist, support, and monitor programs, procedures, and processes that promote and sustain equity, inclusiveness, and diversity throughout the district; • Develop and implement strategies to monitor and evaluate district-wide progress toward eliminating the achievement and opportunity disparities among students of all identified student groups; • Coordinate and develop effective district communications strategies to enhance and support cultural diversity and issues of equity; • Serve as the liaison to the district affiliated organizations such as the Diversity Advisory Committee; collaborate with the Human Resources Department in the development of strategies for recruitment and retention of a diverse workforce; • Collaborate with the Curriculum and Instruction Department to ensure a curriculum that is equitable, unbiased, culturally relevant, and reflective of the District’s diversity; • Implement strategies which increase cultural competence and address implicit bias with District staff;• Serve as the District\'s Title IX Coordinator (sex/gender equity); • Experience establishing and working with employee resource groups (ERGs);• Facilitate DEI related professional learning workshops with District administrators and certified staff; and• Organize large scale DEI related events (virtual and in-person) such as conferences and community functions

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

BA, MEd

Fordham University

Advanced Certificate

Harvard Extension School

Advanced Certificate

Fordham University

EdD