Name: Ayana Bass '22 A.M., Urban Education Policy

Job Title and Employer: Program Manager, Equity Institute, Providence, RI

What drew you to the UEP program at Brown?

As an undergraduate at Rhode Island College in my special education Educator Preparation Program, I had the privilege of being selected as a McNair Scholar. As part of the program, scholars pursue research related to their degree program, and they have to pursue graduate studies. 

My mom graduated from Brown and participated in the 1968 Walkout. Also, my dad was the co-founder of Rites and Reason Theatre in the Africana Studies department at Brown. So after talking to my mom about where I should apply, and what I should do, it felt very fitting to apply and ultimately enroll. 

What were the highlights of your experience in the UEP program?

I have to say the biggest highlight was the cohort model. Being able to create various learning communities with lots of different people but then finding my people. I had the pleasure of making some really dope friendships that are going to last for the rest of my life, both personally and professionally.

The program also expanded my understanding of policy and how it impacts the teacher workforce. We are trying to grow our TA to BA pathway at the Equity Institute and having that additional policy lens to view the work through is important.

I was also able to work on a manuscript through an independent study with Dr. Crystal Thomas and that was important because now I'm pursuing my doctoral studies and I already have my manuscript partially written. Hopefully, I can publish! Dr. Kenneth Wong was also really helpful and instrumental in that because he supported me with getting a membership in the American Educational Research Association. My advisor, Dr. Pierre de Galbert, really supported me with my edits on my manuscript and things like that. In addition to the lifelong friendships that I was able to cultivate, feeling supported by the UEP faculty was meaningful and I know that they are still rooting for me now. It just feels good to know that we still have those connections to lean into if we need them.

What are you up to now since graduating from the program?

What am I not up to? That’s the question!

So right now I am in week five of my doctoral studies in Special Education at Boston University. I am still working with the Equity Institute's TA to BA program, trying to help support partnership work, and figuring out how we can continue to elevate, create access and cultivate interest in the field of education. We know that there's so much that is a challenge within the field, but knowing that if we can inspire young leaders through their own education to pursue a career or continue their own education beyond K-12 there's so much power in that. We can create real sustainable change. One day I will be Dr. Bass, hopefully inspiring a Dr. Gray! There are so many other young minds that we can help through our work to see that they can achieve whatever it is that they put their mind to, something that they really aspire to do.

Who has made you the person you are today?

I'm big on cultivating meaningful relationships and people always tell me that I have so many friends. I have a core group of friends that are truly like my soul sisters. When I look back though, at who has really helped me question and remain curious about how to become the best version of myself, I would definitely have to say, my mom and dad. They laid the foundation for who I am and they also helped me understand that asking questions and using my voice, even in times where it might not be the most comfortable, is so important. My kids definitely have also helped shape me as a mother and as an advocate. Hopefully, I'm a strong example to them of what is possible. That struggle, challenge, fear and all the other things and emotions that come with the journey are both approachable and achievable. 

What is one piece of advice you would give someone interested in applying to the program?

A piece of advice I would give is to stay organized and get ahead of work when you can. Form study groups, identify ways to share and learn across the university and access the other departments that are available to you. But also to allow yourself to be vulnerable. I think about the word that the training team at the Equity Institute used in a recent summer offering – vulnerageous. So being vulnerable and courageous in the same way or in the same moment because you are going to be doing hard work and continue to do hard work in the field of education. You have to know that there is always going to be a level of vulnerability within that, but your ability to shape change is going to come from what you allow yourself to really soak in. So, that was more than one piece of advice but I hope that it is enough for someone to say, “Okay, I can do this, I got this, it's hard but it's so worth it and I know that whatever I'm doing here will we lead me to the good work that I'm going to be able to do in my future."