In the context of a global pandemic and international protests calling for an end to anti-blackness, racism and hate, our ASL community is searching for guidance and purpose, in need of rejuvenation and inspiration. In that spirit, we have created the "Reimagining the World: The Creativity Collection." Comprised of written, audio and video selections, this digital reader supports and guides our work as we seek to envision the future of our school, a school that lives up to our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement (DEI) adopted in April 2020. The final sentences of that statement powerfully declare that, "Building and sustaining a diverse, equitable and inclusive school community is the responsibility of all. Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion holds the promise of a better future for all our children." Now we ask ourselves--What might that future be? How can we unleash our creativity to imagine a truly new future? In the Fall 2020, we will create an action plan to make this DEI statement a reality. We will need our collective creativity to dream, think and act boldly.

Inspiring us to act boldly, we welcome our second innovator-in-residence, Daniel Raven-Ellison, who led the initiative to make London a National Park City. Daniel is driven by the belief that access to green space is a human right and that environmental justice is intimately connected to social and racial justice. He believes in the crucial importance of being connected to the natural world. He knows that the health of the planet is intimately connected to the physical and mental health of all of us.

When we return in the fall, Daniel, along with Kwame Alexander (returning to ASL as Writer-in-Residence), will help inspire and energize us to act on our theme “Reimagining the World.” We have created this reader to spark this process. We ask that in addition to exploring the reader, every ASL member also read these two articles: "12 Ways to Make Life in London Better" by Daniel Raven-Ellison and "The Coronavirus shows us it is time to rethink everything. Let's start with education" by George Monbiot and watch these two videos: " You don't have to be an expert to solve big problems" by Tapiwa Chiwewe and "Who belongs in a city" by OluTimehin Adegbeye by 24 August. These pieces will anchor our conversations when we return. Throughout the year, we will use the reader to inspire the creativity and courage needed to change the world, starting with one person and one school at a time.