Even before the start of the five-year grant partnership, WKKF and BCPS made an intentional choice to build a strong core of school leaders well-versed in equity by partnering with the National Equity Project (NEP), an organization dedicated to helping leaders increase their awareness of equity issues and provide practical approaches to better understand people with different backgrounds, cultures and experiences. NEP has worked with district leadership on changing practices and policies to create more inclusive and equitable school communities.