From 2015 to 2019, a leading project of West Wind Foundation is the Creative Corridor Center for Equity (C3E). C3E is a product of the partnership between Diversity Focus, West Wind Education Policy Inc., and West Wind Education Policy Foundation. This partnership harnesses deep understandings of inclusive communities, education policy and practice, educational equity, and systems change. We pull together activists who deeply understand the need within our communities along with investors who desire systemic change—and actively invest in bringing that change to reality.

Creative Corridor Center for Equity

Our communities have experienced tumultuous change in the past decade as our population has diversified, we weathered the 500-year flood, and we strive to bring 21st century practices to a 20th century education system. Through our work at The Center, we develop a collaborative, systemic approach to overcoming challenges brought on by these changes in the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City corridor and the Cedar Valley region. We take a multi-dimensional approach to improving the quality of life for administrators, educators, and students, and we expand the networks, time, talent, and treasure to support our youth here at home in Eastern Iowa.

The Center comprises two major initiatives:

Focus: Through the identification, recruitment, induction, and mentoring of new educators, effective grow-your-own strategies, and community based partnerships to build inclusive communities, we will attract, support, and retain teachers, administrators, and support staff of color into the Corridor’s schools. Focus engages local districts, community colleges, private/public colleges and universities, state agencies, and community partners. We are embarking on this project with three partnering districts: Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, and Waterloo. Each of these districts is deeply committed to taking positive action to changing the racial makeup of their teachers, administrators, and support staff.

This project is funded in part by the Community Foundation of Johnson County

http://www.communityfoundationofjohnsoncounty.org/

Empowerment Leadership Institute:  C3E assembled a talented team of individuals to reconceptualize a training program designed to help increase the diversity of boards, commissions, and committees — including both public and non-profit — by creating a pool of capable and prepared applicants from historically underrepresented and marginalized communities, including people of color, immigrants, people with disabilities, and low income people.  We want to ensure that the strengths and the needs of all our residents are understood and served, and that we tap into community service interests of our most diverse internal communities. Our focus is to engage both youth and elders among people of color, immigrants, people with disabilities, and low income people.