Start Them Brave
COMING SOON
The Powerful Evolution of DEI in U.S. Schools, the Battle Cry for Raising Upstanding Children and the Art of Promoting Allyship and Belonging
A groundbreaking guide that restores DEI to its original purpose — dignity, humanity, and the brave work of raising children who understand identity, fairness, community, and courage.
About The Book
Start Them Brave, a work of heart inspired by my daughter, is a DEI instructional manual for teachers and parents as much as it is a love letter to the current and future generations of students. We are navigating a volatile sociopolitical landscape, and our children are caught in the crossfire. My book unveils the critical work DEI has done over the past 300+ years to help children survive historical upheavals driven by political agendas. It explores the powerful evolution of DEI in U.S. schools and makes a bold, child-centered case for why we still need it today—more than ever. Blending research, history, personal stories, and classroom-tested practices, this book brings DEI back to its roots: helping children understand themselves, each other, and the world around them.
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Grounded in anti-bias education and over 15 years of pedagogical expertise, this book provides:
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age-appropriate tools for identity and bias exploration
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a roadmap for building brave classrooms
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community-building practices that honor dignity and belonging
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practical support for navigating discomfort and courageous conversations
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the Allyism Action Plan — a groundbreaking framework for backward-designing DEI curricula
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the People of Inspiration curriculum (identity + biography + virtues)
Why I Wrote This Book
We are at a crossroads where the future of American classrooms will either rise in unity to echo the diversity of its students or silence them to fit an oppressive political agenda. According to PEN America, there were 6,870 instances of school book bans in the 2024–2025 school year (books removed or access restricted in public schools) across 23 states and 87 public school districts. Many of them contributed to a significant escalation in censorship, targeting works by LGBTQIA2S+ authors, authors of color, and books discussing race, gender, and sexuality. Below are a a few examples of banned books. Why are we erasing identity affirming texts? That sends a hurtful and damaging message to children: You don't belong and you're not worthy of representation in the classroom.​​​​​​​​​​​
I’ve spent more than a decade working with children, educators, families, and school communities. In that time, I’ve watched DEI become highly politicized, misunderstood, and pulled away from its original intention.
This book is a reclaiming.
It’s for the children.
It’s for the families.
It’s for the educators who want to teach with clarity, courage, and humanity.
And it’s for anyone who believes in the power of raising brave children.
Stay Connected
Be the first to know about:
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release date announcements
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pre-order options
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author events & signings
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educator workshops based on the book
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conference speaking engagements
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exclusive early excerpts
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Join the interest list and contact Kate for speaking inquiries!
