Everything we make, and all that we do, is rooted in a simple ideal: to make educational play experiences equitable for all. At Kaplan Early Learning Company, we infuse our dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion into all of our work. It drives how we build our teams and how we develop our products. It shapes our approach to business partnerships, and community collaborations.
We have a lot of work to do, and we're just getting started. Join us in our journey to champion equity and inclusion; we invite you to explore what steps towards lasting change Kaplan is taking below.
At Kaplan, we recognize the human, not just the employee. As a corporate family made up of different faces, backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences, we know Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion means something different to everyone. But don't take our word for it; see what real members of the Kaplan community – and the DEI Committee – have to say.
Diversity, equity and inclusion is not just about recognizing that people are excluded consciously and unconsciously based on racial, cultural and social differences. It's exploring how we can improve our own spaces and communities to remove bias. When individuals feel valued in their own skin, everyone benefits. Diversity is the spark for innovation. It creates resiliency as we support each other and drives growth that benefits individuals, their families, communities and employers.
To me, diversity, equity, and inclusion means creating safe, welcoming spaces where everyone is authentically represented, has a voice, and feels truly heard. On a deeper level, as a young female professional, DEI is particularly important to me because if I notice that other women don't feel safe or heard, or they're not succeeding in a space, then something is fundamentally wrong with the structure of that space. At the end of the day, diversity, equity, and inclusion, is so much more than bringing your own chair to the table if you're not invited – it's working together to build a new table where everyone has a seat.
The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee is a group of Kaplan employees from various departments and positions that come together to learn. As we learn, we then spread that lesson to the rest of our departments and teammates. In due time, this should result in a companywide shift of perspective: One that will be based on a new foundation of equality and understanding. Something I look forward to seeing happen and am proud to be part of.
This work is important because it highlights the need for action starting with a foundation of empathy, love, and respect and then holds us accountable to actually be catalyst for change. The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee strives to provide tangible action items to inform, educate, celebrate, and prompt change within the Company, our local community, and to the Kaplan Community as a whole.
We're doing what we can to make our corner of the world a little bit better for everyone. We're trying to listen to what our coworkers have to say and are working to turn their words into actions that allow everyone to be heard, treated equally and to enjoy their time with Kaplan as much as we do.
I believe this quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., sums up my thoughts best. "There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because conscience tells him it is right." If we all work together, change will and can come.
At Kaplan, we know a toy is never just a toy – it's the key to new worlds full of exciting adventures, it's a new best friend that looks just like you, it's an experience that lays the foundation for lifelong learning.
As a leading provider of educational toys and tools designed to support children of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds, we know that, often, our products are the first point of contact we have with educators and the children in their care. This is why it's critical that the products we offer are inclusive, represent diverse cultures and experiences, and give children the opportunity to feel seen in the tools they use to build rich and imaginative play experiences.
Working with professional DEI consultants Dr. Krishauna Hines-Gaither and Dr. Shana LeGrant of Hines-Gaither Consulting, Kaplan underwent an extensive audit of our merchandise and products. Within this audit, products across twenty-two product categories were evaluated by international representatives of various cultural backgrounds in the following areas: first impression, packaging, product design, content, graphics, developmental appropriateness, language, and gender. Products were also assessed for their overall variety, quality, durability, and inclusiveness.
As a result of this audit, Kaplan created a dedicated Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion category where customers can easily search, filter, and find the perfect products to bring culturally relevant and inclusive experiences to their classrooms.
Kaplan is proud to carry products created by Minority and Women Owned Businesses.
*Source: https://www.census.gov/library/visualizations/2021/comm/employer-firms.html
Leveraging our strong relationships with early childhood experts, researchers, authors, and more, Kaplan is proud to present a wide selection of timely and free Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion resources for educators, caretakers, families, and our employees.