Jared Joiner

I’ve played lacrosse since I was 14 years old, and have often been the only Black player on the field. Oakland Lacrosse is introducing lacrosse to youth who otherwise might not have an opportunity to fall in love with the “medicine game”. I think sports are a critical part of child development, giving kids an opportunity to flex physical and mental muscles.

I attended Georgetown Day School (GDS) from kindergarten through 8th grade. GDS wove a love of learning, sports, play, art, diversity, and social justice into my experiences — and these values date back to its founding as the first racially-integrated school in Washington, DC. It’s the type of education that every student should experience, and I think I owe my career in education to those formative and joyful school days.

I think sports are a critical part of child development, giving kids an opportunity to flex physical and mental muscles.

Every student deserves to have positive relationships with adults in school. This is my work at CZI Education. We support solutions to ensure every student has access to these relationships in their classrooms and with their teachers, including Black, Brown, and Indigenous students who have been historically underserved. Outside of CZI, I like to support organizations with similar missions, as well as supporting leaders who are working to make the world a more just place.