Jessica Mallare-Best

she/her/hers

What do you do?

Director of Educator Equity

But what do you really do?

As the Director of Educational Equity I am responsible for working with our school district partners and leading our educational programs. This shows up in a variety of ways. From facilitating sessions, offering coaching and consultation, to building and envisioning new possibilities for this work in our educational institutions. I also have the opportunity to create new content and curriculum, which is something that I am super passionate about. Ultimately, I get to help folks in education open their minds to the possibility of radical changes in our school systems, understand their own agency in creating those changes, and guide them in creating different outcomes for our kids and families of color.

And what’s your story? As in, what makes you tick?

This is a big question, and when it comes to this work, my story is quite simple. I want to do my best while I have air in my lungs, and a heartbeat in my chest, to dismantle systems of oppression that continue to harm all of us, especially our kids. I want to envision and co-create a system of education that loves our kids so deeply that we could never imagine harming them or excluding them from their own possibility. As a woman of color and a mom of two beautiful little humans, my story is one of deep love, commitment, understanding, humility, and unrelenting urgency to contribute my part in creating the kind of world I want all of our kids to live in. Growing up in an education system where I never saw myself reflected leaves me so honored to hold the roles that I hold; whether in the classroom, in the front of a room of executive leaders, or in my community and represent possibility for all of our children, especially those little Brown girls who deserve to know that they can make whatever kind of life that they want for themselves. Overall, my story is interconnected with all of OUR stories and I am driven by a deep belief that we cannot do any of this work outside of relationship and it is only collectively that we will be able to continue to carry the light that so many of our ancestors have carried before us. 

What’s rewarding about working at the Center?

So many things! The thing I love the most are the people I get to do this work with. The Center, for me, is a community that is also family. To work at a place where we share a common vision and determination to enact that vision as we work towards justice is so beautiful and inspiring. I also love the opportunities that we have to learn, reflect, and lean into possibility and co-create ways to do things differently. To have the autonomy to dream and create is such a gift and to do so with people who believe in, support, and love you is not only rewarding, it's life giving. I also LOVE to see Black and Brown people winning and creating joy! This is beyond evident at the Center and I am here for it!