Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

As a certified B Corporation, Magnolia Consulting commits to being a force for good through actions that create a kinder, more just, equitable, and inclusive society.

We recognize the power and potential of research and evaluation in

  • giving a voice to and protecting the rights of the marginalized and disempowered,
  • representing the lived experiences of diverse communities with respect and honor,
  • improving equitable access to opportunities for diverse groups of people, and
  • transforming systems to promote fairness and equity.

We recognize the existence and impact of systemic racism, socioeconomic disparities, and educational inequities that have disproportionately affected the most vulnerable communities. We know these must be dismantled if we want our educational institutions to represent just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive (JEDI) learning systems where all members are valued, heard, respected, and empowered to pursue their full potential. We seek to address these historic inequities in how we work with each other and those we serve.

As an organization, we believe that we enact the power and potential of our research and evaluation practices when all team members have a voice and are encouraged to contribute in a supportive work environment. We take collective responsibility in creating an environment where everyone feels included, respected, and comfortable in bringing their whole self to Magnolia. We embrace people of all backgrounds, cultures, and life experiences and seek to discover our “sameness,” while also respecting our unique differences. We honor diverse perspectives, hold space for truly hearing and understanding each other, and harness our collective strengths to bring into the world services that promote justice, equity, diversity, and inclusivity.

These JEDI principles interrelate and reinforce each other while providing a framework for mindful practices among Magnolia team members and with our clients, funders, and research and evaluation stakeholders.

Being inclusive of others—true and deep effort to understand and welcome folks with different lived experiences than ours—fosters diversity. Diversity, by bringing many people with different stories, backgrounds, skills, and needs into one place, requires equity to be sustainable. And equity, which strives to give people the specific resources they need to live up to their own individual or collective potential, aims to remove unfair barriers to opportunity and ultimately build a just society: one where everyone, regardless of who they are, is equally able to live a full and meaningful life.  

—Taimur Ahmad, Access Fund

We interweave these JEDI principles into our core values to fulfill our mission and purpose as an organization through the following JEDI definitions and strategies. These strategies apply to organizational practice as well as research and evaluation practice.