Kids ‘R’ Kids International, Inc. Rolls out Robust Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Events and Programming,
Unveils Upcoming Plans for Q2
APRIL 15, 2022 – It’s been a while since you heard from the Kids ‘R’ Kids International, Inc. team. In the time since we shared the news of our partnership with Inclusent, a nationally recognized diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) firm, we have been hard at work implementing their recommendations.
Since June 2021, we have been committed to continuous improvement in the area of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) since engaging Inclusent. We have been very busy in our efforts working their third-party assessment team, led by Bill Hawthorne, Inclusent’s Chief Strategy Officer. They have assessed KRKI in the following areas: Executive Leadership/Corporate Staff, Brand position and reputation, procurement inclusion, philanthropic investments, curriculum programming, and franchisee alignment.
With their guidance, we have been moving forward with strategic recommendations and best practices that we believe best support our Kids ‘R’ Kids values and mission. In addition, we re-engaged Inclusent to partner with KRKI on the implementation of their strategic recommendations.
Since the beginning of 2022, we have launched a full year of educational workshops, including live Zoom webinars on the first Wednesday of the Month, led by Jocelyn Logan-Friend Ed. D. and a guest speaker. We hope that you have had an opportunity to join us for some of our inspiring and educational in-person and virtual events, monthly live webinars, and virtual activities. These included:
- January – Intro to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)
- February – Recognizing Black History Month and Lunar New Year; Racial Identity and Inequity
- March – Recognition of Women’s History Month & International Women’s Day; Gender Parity & Equity
- April – Recognition of Ramadan & Earth Day and Celebrate Ramadan
In addition, we’ve held informative webinars that recognize and celebrate the contributions of Black Americans, including our inaugural Black History Month event. The event, led by Dr. Clarissa Myrick-Harris, PhD, Morehouse Chair, Division of Humanities and Professor of Africana Studies, was a dynamic presentation that explored the “Black History in Atlanta.”
Our KRKI senior leadership has also signed on for tailored Executive Leadership Competency building, focused on White Fragility, Race in the Workplace, Conscious Inclusion & to lead on DEI in the children’s Learning Academy industry.
We’re looking forward to rolling out the rest of our webinars and programming. Mark your calendars for some of our upcoming events for Spring and Summer 2022!
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KIDS ‘R’ KIDS INTERNATIONAL, INC. PARTNERS WITH INCLUSENT TO EXAMINE CURRENT DEI POLICIES AND PRACTICES
Kids ‘R’ Kids International Takes Next Steps in Addressing Discriminatory Behavior
JUNE 20, 2021 – In mid-April, a parent observed video footage of a Roswell Kids ‘R’ Kids franchise’s staff apparently serving lunch to White students while Black students were not served. The incident was contrary to Kids ‘R’ Kids’ mission for every child in its care to feel safe, loved, and inspired. Consequently, Kids ‘R’ Kids terminated its contract with the Roswell franchisee responsible for the event and assisted displaced families in their search for a new preschool.
Kids ‘R’ Kids’ most recent action step has been engaging Inclusent, a nationally recognized diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) firm, to perform a third-party diagnostic assessment of the company. With decades of experience handling workplace investigations and DEI strategy development and execution, the Inclusent team will conduct an audit thoroughly evaluating Kids ‘R’ Kids existing DEI policies, processes, and systems and provide best practice recommendations for moving forward.
“After several meetings with David Vinson, CEO, and the executive leadership team, I came away immediately impressed that the Company is 100% committed to addressing this challenge as a top priority” said Bill Hawthorne, Inclusent’s Chief Strategy Officer, who will lead the review.
Updated Statement April 8, 2021 – The interactions captured on video by one of our families, yesterday, is disturbing and not in accordance with the inclusive culture that we promote at Kids ‘R’ Kids amongst our families, their children or our staff.
After further review and much consideration of the photo/video in question, our company has decided to terminate that franchisee’s Kids ‘R’ Kids contract and branding, effective immediately, leaving them to operate independently.
We apologize to the family, the community and all of those impacted by this situation and will use this as a learning tool to remind our Kids ‘R’ Kids staff on the importance of diversity and inclusivity.
As a result of this decision, our corporate office will assist any displaced families with locating preschool options in their respective area.
April 8, 2021 –
We apologize to our family, their friends and our entire Kids ‘R’ Kids community for the narrative that is displayed by the snapshot of a video from one of our locations. We are in contact with the family to again express our sincerest apology and to show them video of earlier in the day and other days, where our inclusive culture is on full display. Our video system is in place and available to our families to ensure that we always operate in the spirit of wanting the best for their/our children. We appreciate everyone’s openness to allow us to demonstrate that Wednesday’s incident was random and isolated. We look forward to moving beyond this and refocusing our efforts on our vision of developing generations to cherish and impact their world through the positive foundation fostered at Kids ‘R’ Kids locations across the country.