We embrace the School's mission to foster an understanding of and respect for the diversity that has made our society strong, as part of our effort to provide our students an excellent education. Serving the East Bay community in one of the most diverse areas of the country, we affirm:
Our belief that a school community rich in diversity provides the greatest opportunity for students to learn life's lessons, and we affirm our commitment to attracting students, faculty, administration, and staff who reflect that diversity
Our vision of a school as a truly welcoming and supportive community that values the dignity and worth of each individual member
Our practice of inclusion, beginning with our policy not to discriminate on the basis of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, marital status, race, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status
Our commitment to an inclusive educational program and pedagogy that promotes respect for others, appreciation of individual, cultural and socioeconomic differences, and social responsibility, equity, and justice
Our hope that our students will gain a greater understanding of themselves and of others' different perspectives and an ability to think deeply about our diverse society
Our effort to foster a global perspective so that our students can appreciate world cultures, analyze global issues, understand interconnectedness, evaluate conflicts and their resolution, and take action for positive change, and
Our desire to prepare our students to be democratic leaders, inspired by our ideal of civic purpose, in an interdependent, pluralistic, multicultural community.
NIA is the Swahili word for “purpose.” NIA encourages us to look within ourselves and set goals that are beneficial to the community. It represents our hopes and dreams for the future of our children and future of Head-Royce. As a group of parents, faculty and administrators, we collectively strive to foster community spirit within Head-Royce while building partnerships with community groups, individuals and businesses.
NIA was established in 2003 when four Head-Royce mothers met to discuss how they could contribute and support the three tenets of the Head-Royce mission—scholarship, diversity and citizenship. It was decided to host an annual speakers event that would be open to the Head-Royce and greater Oakland communities. These founding members also had the equally important goal of establishing an endowed scholarship to support the tuition for students of color admitted to Head-Royce School. The NIA Scholarship Endowment Fund has raised over $200,000 and ensures an admitted student of color will have financial backing throughout their Head-Royce academic career, regardless of any socio-economic limitations.
Past NIA Speaker Events
2020 - Angie Thomas, New York Times bestselling author of The Hate U Give
2019 - Kevin Nichols, founder of the Oakland-based Social Engineering Project
2018 - Courageous Conversation with Glenn Singleton
2017 - "Tech Talk: Unlocking the Color Code" - featured a panel of experts who discussed breaking barriers in the technology industry.
2016 - "Martin & Music" - music and the spoken word of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
2015 - "Tonight I Celebrate My Love" - an intimate evening with Roberta Flack
2014 – “Rubbing Off” Allison Briscoe-Smith, Ph.D.
2013 – An Evening with Anthony Robles, a three-time all-American wrestler born with only one leg
2012 – "Instilling Hope in Our Children" featuring Sarah O'Neal Rush, great-granddaughter of Booker T. Washington
2011 – "A Tale of Acceptance" featuring Cheryl Kilodavis, author of My Princess Boy, and Monte Poole, sports reporter for the Oakland Tribune
2010 – "Diversity in the 21st Century" with Dr. Harry Edwards
2009 – Crystal Hayling, President/CEO of Blue Shield of California Foundation
2007 – "Resiliency of the Human Spirit" – Mark Mathabane
2006 – "Celebrating the Arts" – Brian Copeland
2005 – "Trailblazers" – A Panel of Extraordinary Pioneers
• Thelton E. Henderson, United States District Judge
• Lourdes Portillo, a Chicano writer, director, and producer
• General Bernard P. Randolph, Senior Consultant for Space Systems Engineering
• Aqeela Sherrils, Executive Director of Community Self-Determination Institute
2004 – "50th Anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education" - Cheryl Brown Henderson
2003 – The Little Rock Nine, featuring Melba Patillo Beale and Dr. Terrance Roberts
All Head-Royce Professional Community members participate in Professional Development opportunities throughout the year. Here is a small sampling of our work so far this year:
Presence at Equity is Excellence Conference, Summer 2019
2019 Faculty Book: Culturally Responsive Teaching
Full Professional Community training with diversity expert Elizabeth Denevi on creating inclusive learning spaces
Full Professional Community workshop with E&I trainer Rosetta Lee on "Beyond the Why and Into the How: Practical Steps Toward Inclusive Classrooms"
Administrative leadership workshops with Elena Aguilar on effective and equitable leadership
National Equity Project racial affinity groups for faculty and staff throughout the year
Cohort of 26 adults and students at the 2019 NAIS People of Color Conference
Please join NIA on Friday, February 5, to kick off the School's celebration of Black History Month.
The New York Times bestselling author of 32 books, Kwame Alexander won the Newbery Medal for his novel The Crossover. He'll talk about his novels and inspire students to imagine a better world.
The NIA speaker series helps raise awareness and funds for the NIA Endowed Scholarship for students of color at Head-Royce. Previous speakers include Angie Thomas, Roberta Flack, and Melba Patillo Beale and Dr. Terrance Roberts of The Little Rock Nine. Learn more about NIA’s purpose and legacy here.
“Always shoot for the sun
and you will shine.”
– Kwame Alexander
