ROOTS.
A Leadership Community for Women of Color in Education.
Directors. Deans. Vice Presidents. Chiefs. Women leading across education who wanted space to think, reflect, and reconnect with their leadership.
ROOTS is a small leadership community for women of color navigating the realities of leadership in education.​
It''s a space to be yourself, be seen and heard, and connect with women who understand the realities of working in systems that were not designed for us. ROOTS was created for exactly that.
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This isn't another leadership training. It's a space to think through what you're navigating, learn from one another, and gain perspective alongside women who understand the systems we work in.
What You'll Recieve
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✓ Six monthly cohort conversations (2 hours each)
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✓ Two individual executive coaching sessions
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✓ A small cohort limited to 7–9 women
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✓ Connection with women leading in similar systems
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✓ Space to step back, reflect, and think strategically
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Who Is In The Room.
One of the things I love most about ROOTS is the range of leadership experience represented in the room.
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Women in ROOTS have included directors, deans, vice presidents, chiefs, and senior leaders from colleges, universities, school systems, and nonprofit organizations.
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Some join because they're thinking about what's next.
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Others join because they're navigating a difficult situation, stepping into a new role, or looking for space to think more intentionally about their leadership.
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What they have in common is a desire for honest conversation, meaningful reflection, and connection with other women who understand the realities of this work.
Testimonials
Samatha Hernandez
As a Latina and first-generation professional, I spent much of my career feeling like I couldn't find other leaders who truly understood my experience, the pressure, the balancing act of it all. ROOTS changed that.
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It gave me a space to see myself in other women, connect with leaders who get it, and be reminded that I can keep growing and reaching for more without losing who I am in the process
Dr. Kevina Brown
In just a few sessions, my mindset shifted. I no longer felt isolated in what I was experiencing as a Black woman professional. I felt heard. I felt seen.
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Sharing experiences with women who understood what I was navigating helped me see my strengths differently and gave me the confidence to pursue more for myself.
What Happens in ROOTS?
Every cohort is different because every group brings different experiences and questions into the room.
Some women are navigating leadership transitions. Others are working through difficult workplace dynamics, boundary setting, decision-making, or questions about what's next.
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At the center of every conversation is the opportunity to step back, make sense of what you're navigating, and think more intentionally about how you want to lead.
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This is a conversation, not a training. The value comes from the community, the reflection, and the women in the room.
Program Details.
Fall 2026 Cohort
Dates: August 2026 - January 2027
Format: Virtual
Sessions: Monthly
Length: 6 Months
Cohort Size: 7-9 participants
Audience: Women of Color Leaders in Education
Investment & Enrollment
Program Investment: $2,750
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Seat Reservation Deposit: $500
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Payment Plans Available.
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Many participants use professional development funding from their institution to support participation in ROOTS. Documentation for reimbursement is available upon request.
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Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis
About The Facilitator.
Hi, I'm Debra Griffith, Ed.D.
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For more than 30 years, I've worked in education across K–12 schools, community colleges, and universities.
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As a Black woman who has often been the first or only person in leadership roles, I know what it means to navigate competing expectations, carry significant responsibility, and move important work forward inside systems that aren't always designed with you in mind.
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ROOTS was created from that experience and from years of working alongside other women of color leaders navigating many of those same realities.
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I created ROOTS because I believe women need a space to step back, think about what they're navigating, have honest conversations, and learn alongside other women who understand the realities of this work.
Questions About ROOTS?
Choosing the right leadership experience matters.
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If you have questions about ROOTS, whether it's the right fit for you or how to use professional development funding from your institution, I'd be happy to connect.
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debra@dobetterexecutivecoaching.com
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INVESTMENT
Individuals (Founding Cohort): $2,500
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$1,000 deposit to reserve your seat
Payment plan available
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Institutions (Founding Cohort): $2500 per participant
Invoicing available
W-9 + vendor form provided
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Pricing reflects individualized coaching, a
curated small cohort, and identity-centered
leadership development.
ENROLLMENT TIMELINE
The founding cohort begins February 2026.
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Enrollment closes January 26, 2026,
or once seats are filled.
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To reserve your spot,
email: debra@dobetterexecutivecoaching.com
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A $1,000 deposit is required to hold your seat.