By Megan McDonell, Border Crossers Board Member

I recently heard that an organization called Water for People was asking people to write about individuals in the community who are changing the world in some way. I, of course, immediately thought of the amazing Executive Director of Border Crossers, Jaime-Jin Lewis. As a volunteer and now Board member, I’ve had the immense pleasure of working with and getting to know Jaime-Jin over the years and was so excited to interview her for this project. She is incredibly smart and passionate about her work, as well as just a very genuine, lovely person to be around. I asked Jaime-Jin about the workshops themselves, her plans for the organization, and her hopes for education equity/racial justice in general. And of course I threw in a few fun questions too. Here’s what she had to say!

What is one of the most often-cited takeaways from the “Talking About Race” workshops?
People often tell me that our workshops give them a safe space to talk about their own experiences with race and racism in a way that society does not often afford. I believe that if we do not make space for these conversations, we will not be able to find solutions. In fact, injustices in the classroom are often perpetuated in silenced moments, when we don’t know what to say and don’t have practice taking action. Participants say that our workshops give them the tools and practice working through these moments.

What is one of the most memorable moments from a Border Crossers workshop?
In one of our workshops last year, a veteran educator got to share an incident that happened to her over 15 years earlier. She didn’t think there was anything she could have done and hadn’t shared the incident with anyone. In the workshop, she was able to share her scenario, have her experience validated, and find strategies she could use if situations like this arose in the future. She told us she felt like a burden she had been carrying around had been lifted.

Even though I’m not an educator, I got a lot out of the workshop–especially learning about my own white privilege and ways I didn’t realize racial inequity still existed. Do you think this type of workshop is something everyone could benefit from and why?
We live in a world where racism is woven into the fabric of our culture and institutions in ways that we often don’t even see. Teachers are in a unique situation because they are in a position to perpetuate or interrupt society’s biases and inequities within their classroom. They determine who graduates, who goes to the principal’s office, who’s labeled with a learning disability, and so on. Yes, it is absolutely necessary that everyone understand the role of race privilege and power in their own lives, but it’s especially important for teachers to do this work in order to create more equitable schools.

In terms of education equity and racial justice, what is your hope for what that will look like in 10 years?
I want to see the opportunity gap close between white students and students of color. I want to see society engage in real conversations about racially equitable outcomes. But that’s not enough; I want to see the institution of education transformed to support and benefit all students. I put 10-year goals within a larger vision for a beautiful, curious, and just world. I call it my “200 Year Plan.” I hope to see at least a third of this vision accomplished in my lifetime.

What would you like to see Border Crossers look like in five years?
In five years, Border Crossers will be in every school in New York in some capacity. We will expand our citywide workshop offerings, work alongside dozens of schools year-to-year, and have a robust Learning Network that supports our teachers and leverages their collective power to create institutional change.

Ok, now for a few fun questions. What did you want to be when you grew up?
Well, when I was four, I wanted to be a ballerina that taught doctors how to roller skate. In middle school, I wanted to start a nonprofit that freed celebrities from consumerism. I was really troubled by the impact that was having on my peers.

What are some of your favorite places in New York City? 
I love Ashbox in Greenpoint to read and think (and eat!). Kiosk reminds me to view the world with new eyes every day. Also, La Casa Azul and Unnameable Books. Honestly, there are few places I’d rather be than around my 7-foot dining room table sharing a meal with friends.

What’s your motto or one of your favorite quotations?
My favorite quote is from artist/activist Lila Watson: “If you have come here to help me, you are wasting our time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.” This is my motto. I also try to heed Dr. Seuss’ reminder that “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”

And finally, since you asked us this question as an ice breaker: If you could have a superpower, what would it be? 
I know every New Yorker says this, but I really wish I didn’t need sleep. Bending time to have more hours in the day would be another way to go about this. I’d also like to know what dark matter is.

I loved all her answers so much, as I knew I would. Many thanks to Jaime-Jin for taking the time to answer my questions and to you for reading! You can read about more world-changers on Twitter and Instagram @waterforpeople, #ChangeTheWorld.