Pull Up a Chair: Ten Years, One Table

Celebrate 10 years of Equity Institute meetups with food, drinks, stories, and community. It started small. Look what grew. It started small. Look what grew. In November 2016, a few Black and Brown educators pulled up chairs. Some were still in classrooms. Some had left schools but still wanted to teach. All of them were looking for a space where they could talk honestly about the education system and, more importantly, figure out how to change it. That small gathering became the heart of Equity Institute. Ten years and 53 meetups later, more than 2,000 educators, school leaders, community leaders, and aspiring teachers have pulled up a chair. Together we've shared stories, supported one another through hard seasons, helped keep educators in the field, and built a community where people feel seen and valued. Now we're celebrating ten years at the table, and we want you there. What to expect This is not a sit-down program. It's a relaxed evening to walk around, eat, drink, reconnect, and meet new people. • Food and drinks to enjoy while you mingle • A walk through our story, from the first gathering in 2016 to today • A short toast with our founders and a few voices from the community • Story Corner, where you can pull up a chair and share what this community has meant to you • Time to connect with people who care about education as much as you do Who should come There's a seat for everyone who cares about the future of education: • Classroom teachers and teacher assistants • School and district leaders • Community leaders and partners • Aspiring educators and students • Longtime meetup family, past speakers, and anyone joining us for the first time Whether you were at the very first meetup or you're just finding us, come as you are and pull up a chair. Evening at a glance • 5:30 PM: Arrive, mingle, and sign the Signature Chair • 6:30 PM: Toast and stories (about 15 minutes) • 6:45 to 8:30 PM: Food, drinks, Story Corner, and connection Ten years by the numbers • 53 meetups since 2016 • More than 2,000 people have pulled up a chair • 138 speaker spots for educators and leaders sharing their stories • 96% of attendees surveyed said our meetups gave them a sense of community About Equity Institute Equity Institute is an educator-led nonprofit in Providence, Rhode Island. What began as a community of educators of color meeting to share stories and imagine change has grown into three connected areas of work: • The Educator Pathway Program, which supports paraprofessionals and teacher assistants on their way to becoming teachers • Professional learning for educators and districts • Community meetups that keep educators connected and supported Our meetups are where it all began, and they remain at the center of who we are.