Racial and Social Justice Collaborative

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Our Mission

The RSJC leverages the potential power of research-practice partnerships to address one of the grand challenges of our time: deep, persistent educational inequities in learning opportunities and outcomes that disproportionately impact historically marginalized students.

“Equitable, Trusted Partnerships” for Racial and Social Justice in Education

Check out this Q&A with Dr. Christine M. Neumerski

Learn more about the creation of the Racial and Social Justice Collaborative through University of Maryland's Grand Challenges Grant

Recent Events

The Racial and Social Justice Collaborative

held its third annual team dinner in Columbia, MD on June 20, 2025.

This was a chance for our team to celebrate this year’s wins, discuss challenges, and look forward to next steps.

As always, gathering in person was an opportunity to deepen our shared commitment to the work.

On May 8th, the RSJC supported a cross-district opportunity to celebrate programs, policies, and professionals that are making strides towards racial and social justice in the RSJC’s partner school districts.

Anne Arundel County Public Schools shared innovative equitable practices including:

Equity Learning Visits- teachers supporting teachers in building equitable instructional practices

Student Equity Advisory Teams- students are empowered to pursue equity through workshops and as advisors to instructional leaders

The RSJC team enjoying dinner and discussion at Busboys and Poets.

RSJC Begins RPP Work

The Racial and Social Justice Collaborative held a meeting for University of Maryland researchers and district equity leaders at Busboys and Poets on June 17.

Here's what was covered.....

Discussion and clarification of our Problem of Practice
Deep listening with Equity Directors to understand their desired outcomes
Identification of early wins to move the work forward and support Equity Directors in this challenging work

Upcoming Events

Past Events

Spring Book Club is......in the books!

We enjoyed reading and discussing books

centered on anti-racist, culturally sustaining practices.

The Dreamkeepers (Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings)
Ratchetdemic (Dr. Christopher Emdin)
The Equity and Social Justice Education 50: Critical Questions for Improving Opportunities and Outcomes for Black Students (Baruti K. Kafele)
Unearthing Joy (A Guide to Culturally and Historically Responsive Teaching and Learning): A Guide to Culturally and Historically Responsive Teaching and Learning (Dr. Gholdy Muhammad)

We look forward to reading, reflecting,

and engaging with you THIS FALL!

Research-Practice Partnership Launch

October 11, 2023 UMD-Marriott

On October 11 we welcomed Dr. Bill Penuel and Theresa Jones to the UMD-Marriott to speak with a diversity of stakeholders about the value of Research-Practice Partnerships in addressing equity issues in education. Renown RPP expert, Dr. Penuel led UMD faculty and educators and district leaders from various counties through current examples of RPPs successfully solving issues of equitable outcomes in science education. Theresa Jones, Chief Accountability Officer for Baltimore County Public Schools, shared how research-practice partnerships are playing a part in addressing equity issues in BCPS.

It's Official!

We are proud to announce our membership in the National Network of Research-Practice Partnerships!