From Awareness to Action Leadership

Two part Free & Virtual Training with Facilitator Jess Vann

Tuesdays- September 30th & October 7th

10am-12pm

This two-part leadership series blends bias-awareness with restorative practices to help afterschool leaders create spaces where all children, staff, and families feel valued and supported. Participants will explore how to approach differences in afterschool with empathy, purpose, and cultural awareness while strengthening relationships between colleagues and youth. Through interactive activities, reflection, and real-world application, leaders will connect purpose to awareness and integrate restorative approaches that repair harm, build trust, and foster a sense of belonging — ensuring strong environments where everyone thrives and program quality soars.

Part 1: Understanding Implicit Bias in Afterschool Leadership

Objectives

Discuss how bias and identify how it appears in afterschool decision-making, relationships, and program structure
Explore the connection between bias-awareness and restorative practices in promoting equity and trust.
Practice self-reflection strategies to increase awareness and approach differences with empathy.

Part 2: From Awareness to Action — Restorative Practices that Strengthen Relationships and Program Quality

Objectives

Apply bias-awareness and restorative strategies to strengthen relationships between colleagues, youth, and families.
Integrate agreements, and conflict-resolution tools to foster open communication and respect.
Implement culturally responsive practices that affirm all children and promote belonging.
Create an actionable plan to connect purpose to daily practice, enhance program quality, and sustain strong environments where everyone thrives.

Jess Vann is a Chicago-based actor, vocalist, speaker, and entrepreneur, podcast host of Tomfoolery and Shenanigans w/ Jess Vann. With over 15 years of expertise as a Leader in the non-profit sector, Jess has developed a reputation for building community and supporting leadership development on and off the stage. She has been a featured guest on the Black Educators Matter podcast, Be it Till’ You See it podcast, Top 25 presenter for NAA, and spotlighted in the National After School Association’s After School Today magazine.
Jess combines her deep-rooted passion for the arts with a commitment to social impact. She holds a B.S. in Theatre and Interpretation from Central Michigan University and an M.A. in Training and Development from Roosevelt University. As the Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Creative Spaces Consulting w/ Jess Vann, she leads innovative theatre arts and play-based leadership workshops and keynotes, supporting professional development for leaders across diverse industries. For over eight years, Jess has been facilitating workshops, training sessions, and public speaking engagements, leveraging her unique skill set to empower others. Jess finds joy and discovery in every role she takes on, embracing the many hats she wears with passion and purpose.