On behalf of BHS equity, we were delighted to have Dr. Justin Grimes speak with us about how to better understand and talk about race. It was a much-needed conversation, and it provided many new viewpoints on certain topics, as the majority of equity team members voiced. Dr. Grimes is very well informed about race and I would highly recommend inviting him to speak at any type of event or meeting.

– Dani Riley, Grade 11, Equity Team Historian, Blacksburg High School

Dr. Grimes spoke about race at a BHS Equity Team meeting. The presentation was very engaging and informative, and Equity Team members voiced that they took a lot from the meeting. Dr. Grimes is very knowledgeable about topics surrounding race, and I would highly recommend inviting him to speak at conferences, meetings, etc.

-Lulu Dembele, Grade 11, Equity Team President, Blacksburg High School

I had the privilege of working with Dr. Grimes to jumpstart writing my dissertation. He was helpful in providing strategies and tips on how to approach writing chapters one and two, generating research questions, and finalizing a dissertation topic. Dr. Grimes helped provide reassurance that I could do this by providing frequent check-ins and encouragement. I feel more confident in my capacity to complete my dissertation. I look forward to future conversations with Dr. Grimes.

– Whitney Jones, Doctoral Student, Baylor University

Dr. Grimes was very entertaining and made our group, myself included, think more deeply about the world around me and the way in which my implicit biases may impact the work I do as an educator. Thank you!–

-Bradi Bair, Teacher, Memphis Rise Academy

Dr. Grimes spoke about race at a BHS Equity Team meeting. The presentation was very engaging and informative, and Equity Team members voiced that they took a lot from the meeting. Dr. Grimes is very knowledgeable about topics surrounding race, and I would highly recommend inviting him to speak at conferences, meetings, etc.

-Lulu Dembele, Grade 11, Equity Team President, Blacksburg High School

Dr. Justin Grimes facilitated an important and relevant conversation about implicit bias for our teaching staff at Memphis Rise Academy. The conversation pushed us to think deeply about our identities, how we perceive others, and how others, including our students, perceive us. The style of facilitation was approachable allowing the whole group to engage and be vulnerable.

– Isabelle Ciaramitaro, 7th Grade Social Studies Teacher, Memphis Rise Academy

Really incredible activities and resources that will definitely assist in me becoming the most equitable, understanding, and empathetic educator to these students. As a Political Science teacher, I place a lot of value in expanding their world views and this session gave me a large toolkit to achieve that goal.

-Kaiya Wychgel, Political Science Teacher, Memphis Rise Academy

Thanks, Dr. Grimes, for putting into words the feelings and thoughts I have been too nervous to share with others, specifically how you encapsulated my feelings as an Indian man working among the majority Caucasian women.

–Arun Venugopal, ScienceTeacher, Memphis Rise Academy