{"id":1993,"date":"2021-03-08T14:38:36","date_gmt":"2021-03-08T14:38:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/?p=1993"},"modified":"2022-09-27T14:44:14","modified_gmt":"2022-09-27T14:44:14","slug":"choosetochallenge-on-international-womens-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/choosetochallenge-on-international-womens-day\/","title":{"rendered":"#ChooseToChallenge on International Women\u2019s Day"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id='av_section_1'  class='avia-section main_color avia-section-default avia-no-border-styling  avia-bg-style-scroll  avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_section  avia-builder-el-first  inner-heading-area  container_wrap fullsize' style='background-color: #222222;background-image: linear-gradient(to right,#222222,#00aeef); '  ><div class='container' ><main  role=\"main\" itemprop=\"mainContentOfPage\"  class='template-page content  av-content-full alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-1993'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-ketvxyew-fd2803b4eb1c14056cc10c0b4eaa89a1\">\n#top .av_textblock_section.av-ketvxyew-fd2803b4eb1c14056cc10c0b4eaa89a1 .avia_textblock{\nfont-size:20px;\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n\n@media only screen and (min-width: 480px) and (max-width: 767px){ \n#top .av_textblock_section.av-ketvxyew-fd2803b4eb1c14056cc10c0b4eaa89a1 .avia_textblock{\nfont-size:20px;\n}\n}\n\n@media only screen and (max-width: 479px){ \n#top .av_textblock_section.av-ketvxyew-fd2803b4eb1c14056cc10c0b4eaa89a1 .avia_textblock{\nfont-size:18px;\n}\n}\n<\/style>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-ketvxyew-fd2803b4eb1c14056cc10c0b4eaa89a1 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock inner-landing-text av_inherit_color'  itemprop=\"text\" ><h2><strong>#ChooseToChallenge on International Women\u2019s Day<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/main><!-- close content main element --><\/div><\/div><div id='av_section_2'  class='avia-section alternate_color avia-section-default avia-no-border-styling  avia-bg-style-scroll  avia-builder-el-2  el_after_av_section  el_before_av_two_third  inner-img-col  container_wrap fullsize' style=' '  ><div class='container' ><div class='template-page content  av-content-full alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-1993'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-av_heading-87e161c44c9972ab48537a3a37a1af77\">\n#top .av-special-heading.av-av_heading-87e161c44c9972ab48537a3a37a1af77{\npadding-bottom:25px;\ncolor:#222222;\n}\nbody .av-special-heading.av-av_heading-87e161c44c9972ab48537a3a37a1af77 .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{\nfont-size:25px;\n}\n.av-special-heading.av-av_heading-87e161c44c9972ab48537a3a37a1af77 .special-heading-inner-border{\nborder-color:#222222;\n}\n.av-special-heading.av-av_heading-87e161c44c9972ab48537a3a37a1af77 .av-subheading{\nfont-size:15px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='av-special-heading av-av_heading-87e161c44c9972ab48537a3a37a1af77 av-special-heading-h2 custom-color-heading  avia-builder-el-3  el_before_av_textblock  avia-builder-el-first  no-uppercase basic-title'><h2 class='av-special-heading-tag'  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Little girls with dreams become women with vision<\/h2><div class=\"special-heading-border\"><div class=\"special-heading-inner-border\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-klwnr6m5-5221a6fc466400fd0b9b48600030121b '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p><em>Written By: Dr. Meria Carstarphen, Founder Uplift!, Co-Founder\u00a0<\/em>UNITE,\u00a0<em>Former Urban Schools Superintendent<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-o659vd-4da5db0fa34500c5c7f6977c0ba74777\">\n.flex_column.av-o659vd-4da5db0fa34500c5c7f6977c0ba74777{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-o659vd-4da5db0fa34500c5c7f6977c0ba74777 av_one_third  avia-builder-el-5  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_two_third  first flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  column-top-margin'     ><p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-kly3tc36-d8e61e69881be08c89f5043fc4656c2e\">\n.avia-image-container.av-kly3tc36-d8e61e69881be08c89f5043fc4656c2e img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-kly3tc36-d8e61e69881be08c89f5043fc4656c2e .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-kly3tc36-d8e61e69881be08c89f5043fc4656c2e av-styling- avia-align-center  avia-builder-el-6  el_before_av_image  avia-builder-el-first '   itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" class='wp-image-2016 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-2016 avia_image ' src=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-06-at-2.11.38-PM-1030x232.png\" alt='' title='Screen Shot 2021-03-06 at 2.11.38 PM'  height=\"232\" width=\"1030\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-06-at-2.11.38-PM-1030x232.png 1030w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-06-at-2.11.38-PM-600x135.png 600w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-06-at-2.11.38-PM-300x67.png 300w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-06-at-2.11.38-PM-768x173.png 768w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-06-at-2.11.38-PM-705x159.png 705w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-06-at-2.11.38-PM.png 1192w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-klwle231-025249e09fdf78fb4fbfef463e8f612a\">\n.avia-image-container.av-klwle231-025249e09fdf78fb4fbfef463e8f612a img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-klwle231-025249e09fdf78fb4fbfef463e8f612a .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-klwle231-025249e09fdf78fb4fbfef463e8f612a av-styling- avia-align-center  avia-builder-el-7  el_after_av_image  avia-builder-el-last '   itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" class='wp-image-1994 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-1994 avia_image ' src=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/EvBFXhPXUAET3cI-1030x1030.jpeg\" alt='' title='EvBFXhPXUAET3cI'  height=\"1030\" width=\"1030\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/EvBFXhPXUAET3cI-1030x1030.jpeg 1030w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/EvBFXhPXUAET3cI-300x300.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/EvBFXhPXUAET3cI-100x100.jpeg 100w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/EvBFXhPXUAET3cI-600x600.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/EvBFXhPXUAET3cI-80x80.jpeg 80w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/EvBFXhPXUAET3cI-768x768.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/EvBFXhPXUAET3cI-36x36.jpeg 36w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/EvBFXhPXUAET3cI-180x180.jpeg 180w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/EvBFXhPXUAET3cI-705x705.jpeg 705w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/EvBFXhPXUAET3cI.jpeg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p><\/div>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-lzgeuh-1c1bddc0d14c5364fe71a7a1fa7bf027\">\n.flex_column.av-lzgeuh-1c1bddc0d14c5364fe71a7a1fa7bf027{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-lzgeuh-1c1bddc0d14c5364fe71a7a1fa7bf027 av_two_third  avia-builder-el-8  el_after_av_one_third  avia-builder-el-last  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  column-top-margin'     ><section  class='av_textblock_section av-ketwijng-0a4d487a88da2aba98c3d645cd824347 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock inner-text-heading'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>Everyone needs a dream\u2026and someone to believe in them. I was fortunate that I grew up with a mom and dad who believed that my three sisters and I could do anything we set our minds to achieve. They made sure, especially when it came to our education, that we had all the right supports at home to succeed. I live by their standards today: high expectations, structure, lots of love, passion and hope. This guidance gave me the strength to believe that the possibilities are endless for me and anyone else who works hard to realize their dream.<\/p>\n<p>They believed in each of us and pushed us in all the right ways, and more importantly, were there to translate, navigate and mitigate any negative messages that would periodically make us question if we really could \u201cdo it\u201d. So, yes, my sisters and I had great parents who helped us rise above the noise, learn important lessons, and grow into women who pursued opportunities in life with a strong belief in self.<\/p>\n<h3>DREAMS ERASED<\/h3>\n<p>But for many of our young girls, keeping the belief in their own abilities and worth is a struggle. The messages they receive from their communities, adults, peers, and media are sometimes filled with doubt or age-old stereotypes. You know what I\u2019m talking about but may not be able to name it. It\u2019s called implicit and explicit bias. So, what is implicit ad explicit bias anyway?<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- close content main div --><\/div><\/div><div id='after_section_2'  class='main_color av_default_container_wrap container_wrap fullsize' style=' '  ><div class='container' ><div class='template-page content  av-content-full alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-1993'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-ko2qix-e3080c75aa93f2c9f790c1770813f461\">\n.flex_column.av-ko2qix-e3080c75aa93f2c9f790c1770813f461{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-ko2qix-e3080c75aa93f2c9f790c1770813f461 av_two_third  avia-builder-el-10  el_after_av_section  el_before_av_one_third  avia-builder-el-first  first flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  '     ><section  class='av_textblock_section av-ketwijng-0a4d487a88da2aba98c3d645cd824347 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock inner-text-heading'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>I define implicit bias as the stereotypes that a person might have, but they don\u2019t even know it. In other words, having an immediate preference for one gender, race or some other demographic identifier over another without being aware of that preference whereas explicit bias is more obvious. It sounds like this: (subtle\/implicit) <em>girls aren\u2019t good at math<\/em> or <em>boys are more athletic<\/em>. Then there\u2019s in your face bias (not subtle\/explicit), which can look like discrimination <em>picking a boy to lead a class assignment because a girl won\u2019t be tough enough<\/em> (and overt prejudice <em>assuming a Black girl is guilty simply because she is Black, even when the evidence points to her being innocent)<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>While the examples of bias may seem somewhat innocuous when taken separately, it does slowly begin to sow seeds of doubt when compounded over years of messaging. And, without realizing it, biased messages given to a young girl over time can slowly take hold and be very difficult (and sometimes impossible) to overcome. Girls begin to see themselves in a different way and often not in the way that nurtures that dream so that it can become a vision for success.<\/p>\n<p>It just chips, chips, chips away at potential for girls. They deserve so much better from us.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div><\/p>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-jfjxwp-ae58ef4d68f92f9603040672c5ac977c\">\n.flex_column.av-jfjxwp-ae58ef4d68f92f9603040672c5ac977c{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-jfjxwp-ae58ef4d68f92f9603040672c5ac977c av_one_third  avia-builder-el-12  el_after_av_two_third  el_before_av_section  avia-builder-el-last  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  '     ><style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-klwlshoy-170b3077387b3a142fd35d3f08bd4c0a\">\n.avia-image-container.av-klwlshoy-170b3077387b3a142fd35d3f08bd4c0a img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-klwlshoy-170b3077387b3a142fd35d3f08bd4c0a .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-klwlshoy-170b3077387b3a142fd35d3f08bd4c0a av-styling- avia-align-center  avia-builder-el-13  avia-builder-el-no-sibling '   itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" class='wp-image-2028 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-2028 avia_image ' src=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-08-at-3.57.45-PM.png\" alt='' title='Screen Shot 2021-03-08 at 3.57.45 PM'  height=\"798\" width=\"914\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-08-at-3.57.45-PM.png 914w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-08-at-3.57.45-PM-600x524.png 600w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-08-at-3.57.45-PM-300x262.png 300w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-08-at-3.57.45-PM-768x671.png 768w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-08-at-3.57.45-PM-705x616.png 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 914px) 100vw, 914px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- close content main div --><\/div><\/div><div id='av_section_3'  class='avia-section alternate_color avia-section-default avia-no-border-styling  avia-bg-style-scroll  avia-builder-el-14  el_after_av_one_third  el_before_av_two_third  inner-img-col  container_wrap fullsize' style=' '  ><div class='container' ><div class='template-page content  av-content-full alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-1993'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-1pz9m1-004a5232ab56e77f034787f79b9168c4\">\n.flex_column.av-1pz9m1-004a5232ab56e77f034787f79b9168c4{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-1pz9m1-004a5232ab56e77f034787f79b9168c4 av_one_third  avia-builder-el-15  el_before_av_two_third  avia-builder-el-first  first flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  '     ><style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-klwluc3a-a6a92a19e16b4ebe72f68c13f242e0fb\">\n.avia-image-container.av-klwluc3a-a6a92a19e16b4ebe72f68c13f242e0fb img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-klwluc3a-a6a92a19e16b4ebe72f68c13f242e0fb .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-klwluc3a-a6a92a19e16b4ebe72f68c13f242e0fb av-styling- avia-align-center  avia-builder-el-16  avia-builder-el-no-sibling '   itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" class='wp-image-1999 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-1999 avia_image ' src=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-05-at-1.28.33-PM-1030x836.png\" alt='' title='Screen Shot 2021-03-05 at 1.28.33 PM'  height=\"836\" width=\"1030\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-05-at-1.28.33-PM-1030x836.png 1030w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-05-at-1.28.33-PM-600x487.png 600w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-05-at-1.28.33-PM-300x243.png 300w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-05-at-1.28.33-PM-768x623.png 768w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-05-at-1.28.33-PM-1536x1247.png 1536w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-05-at-1.28.33-PM-1500x1217.png 1500w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-05-at-1.28.33-PM-705x572.png 705w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-05-at-1.28.33-PM.png 1942w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-gbxt4p-7b642443fac4c395a2fe0603d64a2b82\">\n.flex_column.av-gbxt4p-7b642443fac4c395a2fe0603d64a2b82{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-gbxt4p-7b642443fac4c395a2fe0603d64a2b82 av_two_third  avia-builder-el-17  el_after_av_one_third  avia-builder-el-last  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  '     ><section  class='av_textblock_section av-ketwijng-0a4d487a88da2aba98c3d645cd824347 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock inner-text-heading'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>The consequences for life outcomes when we allow biases to go unchecked can be huge for girls. It\u2019s worse for girls of color who are also dealing with issues of racial bias! The consequences can be devastating. In the 2017 report <a href=\"https:\/\/www.law.georgetown.edu\/poverty-inequality-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2017\/08\/girlhood-interrupted.pdf\">Girlhood Interrupted: The Erasure of Black Girls&#8217; Childhood<\/a> by Georgetown Law\u2019s Center for Poverty and Inequality, researchers noted that \u201ccompared to white girls of the same age, survey participants perceive that\u201d<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Black girls need less nurturing<\/li>\n<li>Black girls need less protection<\/li>\n<li>Black girls need to be supported less<\/li>\n<li>Black girls need to be comforted less<\/li>\n<li>Black girls are more independent<\/li>\n<li>Black girls know more about adult topics<\/li>\n<li>Black girls know more about sex<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- close content main div --><\/div><\/div><div id='after_section_3'  class='main_color av_default_container_wrap container_wrap fullsize' style=' '  ><div class='container' ><div class='template-page content  av-content-full alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-1993'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-e7qr4p-548621a8be97b828c5d170ea507c7ca6\">\n.flex_column.av-e7qr4p-548621a8be97b828c5d170ea507c7ca6{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-e7qr4p-548621a8be97b828c5d170ea507c7ca6 av_two_third  avia-builder-el-19  el_after_av_section  el_before_av_one_third  avia-builder-el-first  first flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  '     ><section  class='av_textblock_section av-ketwijng-0a4d487a88da2aba98c3d645cd824347 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock inner-text-heading'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>Good grief, right?! We know that negative messages in word and deed, over time, can create a lot of problems for girls. Feelings of anxiety and depression can increase. Where once there was confidence to try new things, the girls may value themselves less, affecting their feelings of worth and ability to influence. And so as young girls grow older, they may take fewer risks and become less likely to innovate. Making matters worse, for girls of color caught in the school discipline system, research shows that given these biases their consequences may involve more excessive use of force and harsher punishments.<\/p>\n<p>And it carries over into their adult years. Girls who become women without belief in their gifts and their abilities are less likely to meet their goals, be happy, be fulfilled and even more likely to earn less in their jobs as they simply can\u2019t recognize (and go after) their full potential.<\/p>\n<p><strong>This has to stop.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-c0m8u1-6bbd038a2c913b976d7563d5ed7b07fe\">\n.flex_column.av-c0m8u1-6bbd038a2c913b976d7563d5ed7b07fe{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-c0m8u1-6bbd038a2c913b976d7563d5ed7b07fe av_one_third  avia-builder-el-21  el_after_av_two_third  el_before_av_section  avia-builder-el-last  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  '     ><style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-klwm4qta-e7b3e2b247d2a0f34b1e5797db8eb61c\">\n.avia-image-container.av-klwm4qta-e7b3e2b247d2a0f34b1e5797db8eb61c img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-klwm4qta-e7b3e2b247d2a0f34b1e5797db8eb61c .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-klwm4qta-e7b3e2b247d2a0f34b1e5797db8eb61c av-styling- avia-align-center  avia-builder-el-22  avia-builder-el-no-sibling '   itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" class='wp-image-157 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-157 avia_image ' src=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/09\/Defining-US-Banner-1030x579.jpg\" alt='Defining-US-Banner' title='Defining-US-Banner'  height=\"579\" width=\"1030\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/09\/Defining-US-Banner-1030x579.jpg 1030w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/09\/Defining-US-Banner-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/09\/Defining-US-Banner-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/09\/Defining-US-Banner-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/09\/Defining-US-Banner-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/09\/Defining-US-Banner-1500x844.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/09\/Defining-US-Banner-705x397.jpg 705w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/09\/Defining-US-Banner.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- close content main div --><\/div><\/div><div id='av_section_4'  class='avia-section alternate_color avia-section-default avia-no-border-styling  avia-bg-style-scroll  avia-builder-el-23  el_after_av_one_third  el_before_av_heading  inner-img-col  container_wrap fullsize' style=' '  ><div class='container' ><div class='template-page content  av-content-full alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-1993'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-klwng7e3-e93a553a82143b6a1d7fb6f5ebd5ce60\">\n#top .av-special-heading.av-klwng7e3-e93a553a82143b6a1d7fb6f5ebd5ce60{\npadding-bottom:25px;\ncolor:#222222;\n}\nbody .av-special-heading.av-klwng7e3-e93a553a82143b6a1d7fb6f5ebd5ce60 .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{\nfont-size:25px;\n}\n.av-special-heading.av-klwng7e3-e93a553a82143b6a1d7fb6f5ebd5ce60 .special-heading-inner-border{\nborder-color:#222222;\n}\n.av-special-heading.av-klwng7e3-e93a553a82143b6a1d7fb6f5ebd5ce60 .av-subheading{\nfont-size:15px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='av-special-heading av-klwng7e3-e93a553a82143b6a1d7fb6f5ebd5ce60 av-special-heading-h2 custom-color-heading  avia-builder-el-24  el_before_av_one_third  avia-builder-el-first  no-uppercase basic-title'><h2 class='av-special-heading-tag'  itemprop=\"headline\"  >CHOOSE TO CHALLENGE, CELEBRATE, AND CHANGE<\/h2><div class=\"special-heading-border\"><div class=\"special-heading-inner-border\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-a4995l-8841021dfb8c798760ba43025190c7ad\">\n.flex_column.av-a4995l-8841021dfb8c798760ba43025190c7ad{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-a4995l-8841021dfb8c798760ba43025190c7ad av_one_third  avia-builder-el-25  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_two_third  first flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  '     ><style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-97kcbt-272498942377e42f057891758219212a\">\n.avia-image-container.av-97kcbt-272498942377e42f057891758219212a img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-97kcbt-272498942377e42f057891758219212a .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-97kcbt-272498942377e42f057891758219212a av-styling- avia-align-center  avia-builder-el-26  avia-builder-el-no-sibling '   itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" class='wp-image-118 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-118 avia_image ' src=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/09\/Solutions-in-Schools.jpg\" alt='Solutions-in-Schools' title='Solutions-in-Schools'  height=\"400\" width=\"600\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/09\/Solutions-in-Schools.jpg 600w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/09\/Solutions-in-Schools-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-7m5igp-4219d6c1dea9bdddfbea1c1e3e6091c1\">\n.flex_column.av-7m5igp-4219d6c1dea9bdddfbea1c1e3e6091c1{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-7m5igp-4219d6c1dea9bdddfbea1c1e3e6091c1 av_two_third  avia-builder-el-27  el_after_av_one_third  avia-builder-el-last  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  '     ><section  class='av_textblock_section av-ketwijng-0a4d487a88da2aba98c3d645cd824347 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock inner-text-heading'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>But there\u2019s more challenging news because COVID-19 hasn\u2019t helped. Academics will be challenging enough. In 2020, research studies emerged about the impact on students and their learning due to school building closures and loss of face-to-face instruction.\u00a0McKinsey &amp; Company\u00a0found that the students in their sample, on average, lost the equivalent of three months of learning in mathematics and one-and-a-half months of learning in reading. The learning loss was especially acute in the schools that predominantly serve students of color. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.edworkingpapers.com\/sites\/default\/files\/Annenberg%20WP%20Submission%20-%2020201001_0.pdf\">A recent Brown University working paper<\/a> outlining the effects of absenteeism on social-emotional learning (SEL) outcomes and SEL skills, such as self-efficacy, self-management, and growth mindset is sobering enough. Now, new data suggesting that social-emotional learning outcomes are declining under COVID means that academic performance and behavioral outcomes across student subgroups will likely decline as well.<\/p>\n<p>For International Women\u2019s Day, we are charged to challenge the world. \u201cA challenged world is an alert world. Individually, we&#8217;re all responsible for our own thoughts and actions &#8211; all day, every day. We can all choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality. We can all choose to seek out and celebrate women&#8217;s achievements. Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive world.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- close content main div --><\/div><\/div><div id='after_section_4'  class='main_color av_default_container_wrap container_wrap fullsize' style=' '  ><div class='container' ><div class='template-page content  av-content-full alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-1993'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-av_heading-9a9dc6e33e19e7bab1f6b61f92caccc2\">\n#top .av-special-heading.av-av_heading-9a9dc6e33e19e7bab1f6b61f92caccc2{\npadding-bottom:25px;\ncolor:#222222;\n}\nbody .av-special-heading.av-av_heading-9a9dc6e33e19e7bab1f6b61f92caccc2 .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{\nfont-size:25px;\n}\n.av-special-heading.av-av_heading-9a9dc6e33e19e7bab1f6b61f92caccc2 .special-heading-inner-border{\nborder-color:#222222;\n}\n.av-special-heading.av-av_heading-9a9dc6e33e19e7bab1f6b61f92caccc2 .av-subheading{\nfont-size:15px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='av-special-heading av-av_heading-9a9dc6e33e19e7bab1f6b61f92caccc2 av-special-heading-h2 custom-color-heading  avia-builder-el-29  el_after_av_section  el_before_av_textblock  avia-builder-el-first  no-uppercase basic-title'><h2 class='av-special-heading-tag'  itemprop=\"headline\"  >WHAT WE CAN DO <\/h2><div class=\"special-heading-border\"><div class=\"special-heading-inner-border\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-ketwijng-d4173ed6c8b744607bb3c1569e8849db\">\n#top .av_textblock_section.av-ketwijng-d4173ed6c8b744607bb3c1569e8849db .avia_textblock{\nfont-size:20px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-ketwijng-d4173ed6c8b744607bb3c1569e8849db '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock inner-text-heading'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>Here is how you can help: Countering biases is a two-fold endeavor and takes effort from everyone.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-3j4imh-62b2c323913dbe08c3701fd1fc4fec83\">\n.flex_column.av-3j4imh-62b2c323913dbe08c3701fd1fc4fec83{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-3j4imh-62b2c323913dbe08c3701fd1fc4fec83 av_one_half  avia-builder-el-31  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_one_half  first flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  column-top-margin'     ><section  class='av_textblock_section av-ketwijng-0a4d487a88da2aba98c3d645cd824347 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock inner-text-heading'  itemprop=\"text\" ><h3>TEACH GIRLS HOW TO BELIEVE IN THEMSELVES<\/h3>\n<p>First, we must give our girls the tools to unpack all the things that they need to understand themselves and start from a place of strength. Implementing social emotional supports where girls can develop self-awareness, understand others, make good decisions in the face of adversity or doubt to overcome bias and other negativity that they will face is invaluable. If we can give them the foundational competencies so that they are ready and remain excited about their own possibilities they will become more hopeful for the future, more engaged, and yes, even happier adults.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-2jjv89-c74b683fa6e310d82beb6f79030deb5b\">\n.flex_column.av-2jjv89-c74b683fa6e310d82beb6f79030deb5b{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-2jjv89-c74b683fa6e310d82beb6f79030deb5b av_one_half  avia-builder-el-33  el_after_av_one_half  el_before_av_section  avia-builder-el-last  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  column-top-margin'     ><section  class='av_textblock_section av-ketwijng-0a4d487a88da2aba98c3d645cd824347 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock inner-text-heading'  itemprop=\"text\" ><h3>EXAMINE OUR OWN BELIEFS<\/h3>\n<p>Second, adults have to work on what we each bring to the table regarding our own beliefs and understandings based on our experiences. There has never been a more urgent time. Spending that time to unpack our own biases is a critical and necessary step. Just like everything, when we know better, we do better.<\/p>\n<p>And we must do better. We can no longer keep the status quo when it comes to our biases that we hold and that we project on our girls. <a href=\"https:\/\/cac.org\/about\/who-we-are\/\">Richard Rohr<\/a>, founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation, has spent decades exploring the idea of bias and the work it takes to overcome: \u201cLearning how to see our biases is a psychological exercise, but one with immediate theological and social implications. It demands self-knowledge and the crucial need to recognize (1) when we are in denial about our own shadow and capacity for illusion; (2) our capacity to project our own fears and shadows onto other people and groups; (3) our capacity to face and carry our own issues; and (4) the social, institutional, and political implications of not doing this work.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- close content main div --><\/div><\/div><div id='av_section_5'  class='avia-section alternate_color avia-section-default avia-no-border-styling  avia-bg-style-scroll  avia-builder-el-35  el_after_av_one_half  el_before_av_two_third  inner-img-col  container_wrap fullsize' style=' '  ><div class='container' ><div class='template-page content  av-content-full alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-1993'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-klwng7e3-c82e5c85a0e44a4f462e0ff82ec613c4\">\n#top .av-special-heading.av-klwng7e3-c82e5c85a0e44a4f462e0ff82ec613c4{\npadding-bottom:25px;\ncolor:#222222;\n}\nbody .av-special-heading.av-klwng7e3-c82e5c85a0e44a4f462e0ff82ec613c4 .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{\nfont-size:25px;\n}\n.av-special-heading.av-klwng7e3-c82e5c85a0e44a4f462e0ff82ec613c4 .special-heading-inner-border{\nborder-color:#222222;\n}\n.av-special-heading.av-klwng7e3-c82e5c85a0e44a4f462e0ff82ec613c4 .av-subheading{\nfont-size:15px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='av-special-heading av-klwng7e3-c82e5c85a0e44a4f462e0ff82ec613c4 av-special-heading-h2 custom-color-heading  avia-builder-el-36  el_before_av_textblock  avia-builder-el-first  no-uppercase basic-title'><h2 class='av-special-heading-tag'  itemprop=\"headline\"  >HOW WE SEE IS WHAT WE SEE<\/h2><div class=\"special-heading-border\"><div class=\"special-heading-inner-border\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-ketwijng-0a4d487a88da2aba98c3d645cd824347 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock inner-text-heading'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>And we must do better. We can no longer keep the status quo when it comes to our biases that we hold and that we project on our girls. <a href=\"https:\/\/cac.org\/about\/who-we-are\/\">Richard Rohr<\/a>, founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation, has spent decades exploring the idea of bias and the work it takes to overcome: \u201cLearning how to see our biases is a psychological exercise, but one with immediate theological and social implications. It demands self-knowledge and the crucial need to recognize (1) when we are in denial about our own shadow and capacity for illusion; (2) our capacity to project our own fears and shadows onto other people and groups; (3) our capacity to face and carry our own issues; and (4) the social, institutional, and political implications of not doing this work.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- close content main div --><\/div><\/div><div id='after_section_5'  class='main_color av_default_container_wrap container_wrap fullsize' style=' '  ><div class='container' ><div class='template-page content  av-content-full alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-1993'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-5mwzxl-d9ddb317a2424e6262574949e6241e69\">\n.flex_column.av-5mwzxl-d9ddb317a2424e6262574949e6241e69{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-5mwzxl-d9ddb317a2424e6262574949e6241e69 av_two_third  avia-builder-el-38  el_after_av_section  el_before_av_one_third  avia-builder-el-first  first flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  '     ><section  class='av_textblock_section av-ketwijng-0a4d487a88da2aba98c3d645cd824347 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock inner-text-heading'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>Without a doubt, we are at a critical juncture in our own country\u2019s democracy that demands we face our biases head on so that we can live in a world where everyone has a voice and everyone can live their authentic selves. We need more people in the pipeline with VISION \u2013 it begins with nurturing those first dreams!<\/p>\n<p>The implications of choosing NOT to challenge, especially during this pandemic, are enormous. <a href=\"https:\/\/data.unicef.org\/topic\/gender\/covid-19\/\">UNICEF<\/a> predicts that the gains girls have made in the last two and half decades are at risk. \u201cSchools are often among the strongest social networks for adolescent girls, providing peers and mentors, and when girls are cut off from these networks, their risk of violence increases. In contexts where gender norms\u00a0<u>limit girls\u2019 access to the tools needed for remote learning<\/u>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0such as computers, smartphones and the internet \u2013 they may fall behind their male peers while schools are closed. And when schools do reopen, many girls may not return\u2026\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Our girls can and do amazing things. They need us, all of us, to believe it and message it. #ChooseToChallenge #BeAlert because we&#8217;re all responsible for our own thoughts and actions \u2013 all day, every day \u2013 to help create an inclusive world.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-4ndmu1-2496422dff5a0d01e432dcf246d65e2a\">\n.flex_column.av-4ndmu1-2496422dff5a0d01e432dcf246d65e2a{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-4ndmu1-2496422dff5a0d01e432dcf246d65e2a av_one_third  avia-builder-el-40  el_after_av_two_third  el_before_av_textblock  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  '     ><style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-2ni6op-242b97435b73d8483c9810114e9c1111\">\n.avia-image-container.av-2ni6op-242b97435b73d8483c9810114e9c1111 img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-2ni6op-242b97435b73d8483c9810114e9c1111 .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-2ni6op-242b97435b73d8483c9810114e9c1111 av-styling- avia-align-center  avia-builder-el-41  avia-builder-el-no-sibling '   itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" class='wp-image-2000 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-2000 avia_image ' src=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-05-at-1.29.20-PM-1030x792.png\" alt='' title='Screen Shot 2021-03-05 at 1.29.20 PM'  height=\"792\" width=\"1030\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-05-at-1.29.20-PM-1030x792.png 1030w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-05-at-1.29.20-PM-600x462.png 600w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-05-at-1.29.20-PM-300x231.png 300w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-05-at-1.29.20-PM-768x591.png 768w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-05-at-1.29.20-PM-1536x1182.png 1536w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-05-at-1.29.20-PM-1500x1154.png 1500w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-05-at-1.29.20-PM-705x542.png 705w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-05-at-1.29.20-PM.png 2046w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-klwnr6m5-5221a6fc466400fd0b9b48600030121b '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p><em>Defining US Blog<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Written By: Dr. Meria Carstarphen, Founder Uplift!, Co-Founder\u00a0UNITE,\u00a0Former Urban Schools Superintendent<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":50,"featured_media":2000,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1993","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - 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