Academy for Educational Development

Culture

















AED is a global organization that strives to create a diverse inclusive workplace that reflects the communities with whom we work in the U.S. and around the world. We provide education and resources to staff to enhance their diversity competence in working across cultural and other differences. The AED workplace is a vibrant learning community that provides professional development to support employees in excelling at their work and in meeting their professional and personal goals.

Employee Interest Groups at AED

AED supports several ongoing employee interest groups, created at the initiative of the staff, which reflects the needs and concerns of the staff.

QAAME

Quality Action Among Minority Employees (QAAME) was established in 1990 as an employee-initiated group supported by AED for all employees. The mission is to organize, facilitate, and participate in activities that address these objectives:

•    improve interracial relations between all AED mployees;
•       encourage all minority groups to apply for job positions at all grade levels;
•       enhance the professional development and cultural awareness of AED employees; and;
•       increase AED involvement in the minority communities of Washington, DC.

QAAME sponsors events throughout the year including speakers to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and his legacy, activities related to Black History Month, celebrations of the African-American tradition of KWAANZA, and the ever-popular Ice Cream Social. QAAME is open to all AED employees with an interest in its mission. 

Grupo Latino

Grupo Latino was established in January 1991 to promote Latin culture along with social and professional opportunities for AED Hispanics. The members, representing over twenty Latin American countries, have as their mission:

•    Establish a basis of mutual support for sharing their concerns as a minority group and developing solutions to problems;
•   Take advantage of the existing diversity within the group, and
•    Organize and carry out multi-cultural events in the spirit of achieving a greater understanding among cultures.

Grupo Latino

Since its inception, Grupo Latino has sponsored diverse types of activities that focus on timely issues while also showing the richness of Latin cultures. In 2005, several programs focused on Latino culinary history and traditions – with the opportunity to taste and enjoy! The group is open to all AED employees who might be interested in its mission and/or would like to practice their Spanish.

Parents Network

The Parents Network provides a peer support group for working parents who want to share information, experiences, and resources related to family and parenting issues. Lunchtime meetings provide an opportunity to discuss specific topics requested by members.

EAGLE

AED endorsed the formation of Equity Action for Gay and Lesbian Employees (EAGLE) in April 1994. By its support, the Academy has joined similar organizations, companies, corporations, and the federal government in recognizing the worthy contributions of their gay, lesbian, and bisexual employees. The overall goal of the group is to support maintenance of a safe and comfortable working environment for all AED employees and to promote continuation of a policy of non-discrimination toward gay, lesbian and bisexual employees in the workplace. This is accomplished by

• Advocating for gay, lesbian and bisexual employee issues and rights in the workplace;
• Providing input to the development of AED policies to ensure their sensitivity to gay, lesbian and bisexual concerns and needs;
• Educating employees within AED about gay, lesbian and bisexual issues and concerns to reduce homophobia and enhance appreciation for diversity;
• Providing support to those trying to understand and deal with gay, lesbian and bisexual issues and concerns; and 
• Providing professional, personal and social support to and for gay, lesbian, and bisexual employees within AED.

The group’s efforts are focused in four areas of action: employee education and awareness, employee support, institutional education and awareness, and institutional participation in community-wide celebrations. 

AIG

AIG was established in January 2002 by AED staff representing the different regions of the African continent. The mission is to inform and engage the AED community on issues related to Africa and Africa in the Diaspora. AED serves 43 out of the 53 countries in the continent of Africa and has the advantage of an in-house resource of both African and other employees who have lived, worked, and/or studied in Africa. AIG has organized and hosted a variety of learning activities since its establishment including an African Ambassador’s Panel, country showcases, film series, and presentations by African Leaders.

Administrative Professionals Group

The Administrative Professionals Group meets once a month to discuss AED issues/policies that particularly affect staff in grades three to five. The meetings serve as a forum for the exchange of information, skills, and ideas. The group publishes an eagerly awaited monthly newsletter, the Cube Dweller, distributed to all AED employees via e-mail. The Group chairs serve as a liaison between administrativesupport staff and senior management/technical staff.  In 2006, the Administrative Professionals Group teamed with QAAME and the Africa Interest Group to sponsor an International Women’s Day event in which AED women from various world regions and cultures shared their personal stories.

TAPIOCA

The Asian Pacific Islander Organization for Cultural Awareness (TAPIOCA) serves AED staff by educating and raising cultural and issues awareness of the Asian and Pacific Islander communities. TAPIOCA celebrates and promotes API culture through sponsoring cultural events, lectures, brown bags, performances, and other discussions; provides professional support to AED staff through networking and mentoring opportunities; and links AED to the wider API community and its resources.