Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Dexter Southfield is committed to creating a safe, welcoming, and inclusive community where all members are valued and respected for their individual differences and unique talents.

We welcome and celebrate diversity of all kinds, including, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religious practice, socio-economic status, physical ability, and cultural identity.   

We believe that a range of perspectives, backgrounds, and experience enriches the learning experience for all members of our community. We encourage our students to be their authentic selves and to cultivate empathy and compassion for others. We believe that an appreciation for differences is woven into the hallmarks of a Dexter Southfield student—character, confidence, and compassion—and is an intrinsic trait of future leaders. 

At Dexter Southfield, our work is always guided by the School's motto, 'Our Best Today, Better Tomorrow.' I apply this same lens to our diversity, equity, and inclusion conversations and initiatives. We will never be complacent, and we will always want to do our best, with the understanding that this critical work should never stop. 

Jemmel Billingslea, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Campus Initiatives

Contact

Jemmel Billingslea

Jemmel Billingslea

Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, PreK-Class 12

Ad Hoc Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Formed in the summer of 2020, the Ad Hoc Committee meets frequently to understand and discuss issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion and to make recommendations to the School. The Committee is a subset of the Board of Trustees that includes alumni, current and past parents, and administrators—several of whom are persons of color.