“Eliminating educational inequity and integrating schools” remains core to our mission at DSST. Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) team remains dedicated to cultivating a school community that welcomes open discussion and self-reflection around these issues.
Below are some introductions and focuses for our DEI team and contact info for our DEI liaisons and Trans Youth Advocates for each school.
Aaron J. Griffen, Ph.D.
Chief Equity Officer
Dr. Griffen is a P-12 Practitioner-Scholar with over 20+ years of experience as a middle school English teacher and assistant principal in Houston, Texas and as a high school principal in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Throughout his career, he has worked exclusively and purposefully in urban-defined schools and districts, serving a culturally, linguistically, economically, educationally, emotionally, socially and diverse population of learners.
Focus Areas:
Mercedes Blea-Davis
Manager of Diversity and Belonging
Being a part of the DSST DEI team is a role that speaks to Mercedes' core. Her life experiences led her down the continued and ever-changing path of DEI. From an early age, Mercedes had a keen eye for recognizing the main components of DEI without comprehending the full scope of what she was unpacking. As she grew, this work became her passion and a part of her daily life. With each new experience, Mercedes intentionally sought out the groups where she could make a positive impact and be an advocate for marginalized groups.
Focus Areas:
Salvador Ramírez, M.A.
Manager of Equity and Inclusion
Salvador’s educational and professional career has been devoted to fighting for educational equity for students from marginalized communities within and outside of educational institutions. As a Latinx educator with anti-oppressive practices, Salvador is determined to help students with marginalized identities understand their power and skillset so they create transformation and change that will allow them to not only survive but thrive. To Salvador, DEI is the work necessary to ensure systems and people within those systems are creating transformational change that works towards equity, justice and liberation.
Focus Areas:
School-based DEI partners:
DEI Liaisons by school:
Trans Youth Advocate by school: