Chiany Dri, Founder of The Inclusion School

Letter from our founder

Hi there! I'm Chiany Dri (she/her/hers). I'm a mixed-race Black Latina, born and raised in the city of Los Angeles, California. My personal and professional journey has led me to wear many hats—I'm a mother of three, a community organizer, a DEI practitioner, and a most proudly a worker for justice and peace.

For 11 years I called Ventura County, CA my home, where I passionately advocated for Black and brown communities in both Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. My deepest roots are found in community-centered equity work, trauma-informed practices, and championing the rights of mothers and caretakers. I've even worked within reparations campaigns, driven by my deep commitment to justice. Over the last decade, I’ve found that all of my work has been driven by the desire to be the person that I needed when I was younger or struggling at different moments in my life. 

Professionally, I've had the privilege of serving as the Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Planned Parenthood Los Angeles and as the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at LA Family Housing, serving populations of unhoused families and individuals throughout Los Angeles County. In 2021, I was honored with recognition from the California State Senate for my efforts in reparations for Black communities in Los Angeles, helping to return a beachfront property to descendants of the Bruce family, who had their land taken from them in the 1920s due to anti-Black racism. 

Being an educator has been a key part of my personal journey—I've been an anti-racism educator, consultant, curriculum developer, and trainer with various organizations over the years. Since 2015 I've trained and taught educators, youth, and communities on anti-racism concepts and advocacy.

Additionally, in 2018, I became a co-founder of Juneteenth Santa Barbara, which has been a source of immense pride for me. The organization is dedicated to Black liberation and joy, both of which I believe all humans deserve and are worthy of having and experiencing.  

In 2020, I took a leap of faith and self-published a book for teens, sponsored by The Empowerment Workshop, titled ‘The Little Guide to Anti-Racism,’ and on a cosmic note, in 2023, I was selected to be an Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) Practitioner for NASA’s Astrophysics Division database.

As you can tell, my evolution in the field of Inclusion and Belonging work has been unique and has supported many along the spectrum of human experiences. My work has been just as diverse as the communities I serve, and I'm excited to continue making a positive impact wherever life takes me. Thank you for being a part of my experience in this life and for joining me in our community of belonging.

With love y con cariño,

OUR VISION AND PURPOSE

With a background in Black Studies, Comparative Ethnic Studies, and community organizing, I’ve had the privilege of entering the depth of human experiences. I’ve sat with people and communities through fear, struggle, joy, and celebration. Over the years, I’ve used what I’ve learned to mobilize and advocate for policies and practices that help our communities thrive.

As I entered a more professional DEI space, I saw more and more that the professionalization of DEI made information and advocacy less accessible to communities and individuals experiencing life in the margins. I became curious about the shifting focus away from DEI’s roots in community care and how to reimagine DEI in a way that helps us return to its original human-centered mission.

With this, it became apparent that Inclusion and Belonging practitioners and enthusiasts needed spaces of their own as reminders of our deep passion for making the world a better and safer place for all people. It also became important to use my skills in teaching and content development to create educational experiences that are accessible in a variety of ways and for a variety of people. 

That's where The Inclusion School comes in. My vision is simple—I want to make workplace healing and education accessible for those looking to upskill and support their own visions for healthy workplace cultures. But it's more than that. I want The Inclusion School to be a home for human-centered practitioners and passionate people to come together, collaborate, and tackle shared values for liberatory outcomes. Together, we can build something beautiful.

Our Supporting Educators

Meet the experts who support our training, certificate programs, and education by adding their diverse perspectives, knowledge, and expertise.

Sophia Moreau

Justin Brown

Taryn Longo

Maura Sullivan

Christin Byrdsong

  • Consulting Expert on Educational DEI

    Justin Brown is a well-known author, speaker and diversity instructor in the field of education. Justin is a qualified and professional Diversity, Equity and Inclusion leader with strong creative, analytical, communication and people skills. He has been serving in the capacity of DEI work for over 15 years. Justin is the CEO of Diversity Awareness Program LLC and Onward and Upward.

  • Consulting Expert on Global DEI

    Sophia Moreau is a multi-award-winning diversity, equity, and inclusion leader, keynote speaker and change-maker. Sophia is passionate about building truly inclusive organisations, services and societies. Sophia approaches transformation through both a cultural and procedural lens. Drawing on 13 years’ experience as a DEI practitioner and her own experience of discrimination, Sophia works directly with organisations to tackle inequality and ensure everyone has a seat at the table. Click Here to learn more about Sophia and her consulting work.

  • Consulting Expert on Indigenous Education

    Dr. Maura Sullivan is a language worker and linguist from Ventura, CA and has ancestry from Chumash, Mexican and Irish settlers. She earned her doctorate in linguistics focusing on Chumash archival methodologies from Tulane University with a Mellon Fellowship certificate in Community Engaged Scholarship. In 2012 she obtained two BAs in Native American Studies and History of Art from UC Berkeley. She spent many years working in the non-profit industrial complex in the areas of Indigenous activism and climate change and hopes to find ways to address community needs beyond an often extractive dynamic between tribes and organizations.

    Currently, she focuses on cultural education in her family and tribe. She is interested in working with land access and uses for Chumash practices and hopes to make connections with local landowners and agencies to foster more connections for her people to connect with nature. 

  • Consulting Expert on Somatic Practice & Trauma Awareness

    Taryn E. is a civil rights advocate, somatic experiencing practitioner, and strategic consultant with a unique specialization in control dynamics through an applied neuroscience lens. With a passion for social justice and a deep understanding of human behavior, Taryn brings a fresh perspective to the field of inclusion, belonging, and advocacy work.

  • Consulting Expert on DEI & DEI in the Arts Sector

    Christin Byrdsong is a visionary DEI consultant and creator of Artivism: The Meeting of Art and Activism, crafted for arts companies, and Artivism for Equity, a transformative masterclass that empowers companies to integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion into their practices. With over 8 years of experience working with organizations nationwide, Christin combines his expertise in project management, strategic planning, and creative leadership to help organizations foster lasting cultural change. His innovative approach blends art and advocacy, making him a sought-after collaborator for companies ready to embrace equity as a cornerstone of their mission.