Moving Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging into Another League.
I wholeheartedly endorse Dr. Tony Laing, founder and CEO of Laing Equity Education Group, LLC, and as an exceptional executive coach and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) content expert. His guidance has profoundly impacted my journey to becoming the METCO Director for Sharon Public Schools. Over the course of our extensive coaching sessions, Dr. Laing provided invaluable expertise, insight, and support that have been instrumental in my professional development. In addition to serving as an executive coach, Dr. Laing helped me develop several DEIB events, including the inaugural Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration. He also assisted with budget management, creation of job descriptions, and fundraising efforts. Dr. Laing's expertise in leadership and education was evident from our first meeting. He took the time to understand my strengths and areas for growth, tailoring his coaching approach to meet my specific needs. His ability to challenge me while offering encouragement created an environment where I felt empowered to take risks and innovate. Dr. Laing's deep understanding of K-12 educational systems, particularly in the context of DEIB, equipped me with the tools necessary to navigate the challenges of the METCO program. He helped me refine my leadership skills, develop effective strategies for collaboration, and enhance my communication abilities. What sets Dr. Laing apart is his genuine commitment to his clients' successes. He listened actively, provided constructive feedback, and celebrated my progress, keeping me motivated throughout the process. I highly recommend Dr. Tony Laing to anyone seeking an executive coach and/ or DEIB expert who is knowledgeable, skilled, and deeply invested in their clients' growth and successes.
Carla Hands, M. Ed., METCO Director, Sharon Public Schools
I am writing this note endorsing Dr. Tony Laing, founder and CEO of Laing Equity Education Group, LLC. Tony has been a tremendous asset to the development of MOSS. MOSS stands for Men Organizing for Support and Strength. It is a men’s group I started with my Pastor and another close friend. We meet monthly to provide a venue, where men of color can talk openly about their current situations to receive support, advice, and fellowship. Tony was instrumental in providing guidance on the design structure of the MOSS after school program. MOSS partners with the Murphy Middle School to provide after school tutoring for at risk students. Tony’s insights and operational expertise propelled us towards our goal to provide access to resources in reading and math skills. Well done.
Kirk Taylor, MD, Founder of MOSS
It is my honor to provide a letter of endorsement for Dr. Tony Laing, founder and CEO of Laing Equity Education Group, LLC, and a recognized expert in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB). Dr. Laing possesses a remarkable array of qualities that make him not only highly successful in his endeavors but also a true pleasure to collaborate with.
I have had the privilege of knowing Dr. Laing for three years. In this time, I have witnessed his exceptional contributions in various capacities, including teaching, delivering presentations that amplify diverse student voices, and working with K-12 school districts to deliver professional development sessions focused on fostering inclusion and belonging. His expertise extends to higher education, where he has developed best practices for faculty and staff recruitment, designed impactful training on inclusive language, co-developed Employee Resource Groups, and facilitated workshops supporting Black, Indigenous, and People of Color staff and faculty.
I would like to highlight two specific partnerships between Dr. Laing and the Boston Bridges Initiative (BBI):
Cultural Bus Tour of Boston
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Laing organized a cultural bus tour of Boston for middle and high school students from Boston and Wayland suburban districts. Funded by BBI, this initiative provided students from different communities attending the same schools an opportunity to engage in a meaningful cultural exchange. The tour also highlighted historically significant sites where Black residents made impactful strides in their fight for equal rights, particularly in education. Dr. Laing's meticulous planning and ability to forge strong partnerships with local organizations resulted in press coverage and set a benchmark for future BBI-funded initiatives.
Partnership with Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)
Dr. Laing spearheaded an inaugural five-year partnership between WPI and BBI, enabling select high school students from Massachusetts to participate in WPI’s summer residential Frontiers pre-college program with full scholarships. This initiative exemplifies Dr. Laing’s ability to create transformative opportunities for K-12 students, bridging gaps in STEM education access and fostering equity in education.
Both projects, alongside his broader body of work, reflect Dr. Laing’s visionary leadership, attention to detail, and unwavering commitment to advancing DEIB.
I wholeheartedly recommend Laing Equity Education Group, LLC, as I am confident that they will continue to deliver exceptional and impactful work for all future partnering organizations.
Sincerely,
Kimberley Anderson, Executive Director, Boston Bridges Initiative
I am honored to provide a letter of support for Dr. Tony Laing and his outstanding work as a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion expert for Laing, Equity, Education Group, LLC. Dr. Laing exudes a multitude of distinctive qualities, which makes him successful at whatever he attempts and a pleasure to engage with. I have known Dr. Laing for over 8 years in the professional setting, as our paths have crossed on many occasions.
There are certain people that others should aspire to emulate, and Dr. Laing is one of those people. He has proven himself to be a significant scholar-practitioner in DEI for his peers and the profession. In addition, he continues to show his dedication and service to the local community through various volunteering roles and acts of kindness to others.
Dr. Laing’s DEI scholarship is impressive and reaches beyond the surface to engage and create a foundation of success. His scholarship is grounded in understanding the lived experiences of those around us, both in and out of the classroom. Some of his most notable contributions to research include:
Black Masculinities Expressed Through and Constrained by Brotherhood
Virtual Learning: A Solution to the All-Black Male School Debate
College readiness programs through his work with the Research Alliance for New York City Schools
However, more important are the characteristics that guide Dr. Laing as he engages with others daily. Dr. Laing can draw positive people to him whether he knows them. His positive attitude, his warm personality, his sense of compassion for others, and his extraordinary creative style make him appealing and engaging. He is a strong leader and a well-rounded individual that people rely on for sound advice and insight and are excited to collaborate with him regarding the various scholarships that are of common interest. He is strategic, thoughtful, engaging, reflective, data driven, results orientated and most importantly, his passion for DEI excels beyond others. In working with him, you will find that Dr. Laing as being approachable, honest, fair, giving and will give each client the attention that they deserve.
One of Dr. Laing's most impressive attributes is the way he respects and values others. This respect and value give a voice to the scholarship he facilitates and engages in to be the voice for those who may not know how to use their voice or whose voice may have been silenced. Furthermore, Dr. Laing consistently offers encouragement, praise, and support to all and has a strong work ethic and team-player attitude. He has proven himself to be an extremely reliable, devoted, and well-balanced scholar-practitioner. I fervently believe Dr. Laing immolates what it means to be a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion expert. He is an excellent candidate and so deserving. His work has a meaning that will continue to impact the lives of our profession for decades to come.
Rinardo Reddick, Ph.D., Chief Diversity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Westchester Community College
I am pleased to write this letter of endorsement and express my full support for Dr. Tony Laing and the incorporation of the Laing Equity Education Group (LEEG). Having worked alongside Dr. Laing on various projects, I have always been impressed by his profound expertise in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB), particularly within the field of education.
Dr. Laing was an integral part of our team in developing an Early College program, a project of significant enormity that demanded strong communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. He not only met these demands but excelled in every aspect. His contributions ensured that diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging were not merely theoretical goals but integral, meaningful components embedded in the fabric of the program.
Dr. Laing work ethic is remarkable. His attention to detail is unmatched, and he consistently goes above and beyond to meet deadlines, regardless of challenges. For instance, despite having a vacation planned, he maintained his dedication to the project and participated in every meeting, even with a 12-hour time difference.
The mission of the Laing Equity Education Group (LEEG) to foster inclusive environments, educational equity, and social impact through collaborative DEIB solutions are more than just a statement—it is a commitment that Dr. Laing embodies through his work. By empowering individuals, institutions, and communities to thrive both locally and internationally, LEEG truly moves DEIB into another league.
LEEG’s vision to deliver transformative DEIB consulting services aligns seamlessly with Dr. Laing’s passion and expertise. By evaluating and addressing systemic inequities in education and organizational structures, LEEG designs strategic programs, offers tailored training, and engages communities to create sustainable, equitable environments. Under Dr. Laing’s leadership, LEEG is positioned to make a profound impact, ensuring that everyone can achieve their fullest potential.
With Dr. Tony Laing at the helm, Laing Equity Education Group will undoubtedly be a game-changer in the DEIB field. I wholeheartedly endorse him and the Laing Equity Education Group as an invaluable resource for anyone seeking guidance or collaboration in this essential field. Their transformative approach to equity and inclusion will create a lasting positive impact across educational and organizational landscapes.
Denise Jeter, President, Higher Ground Education Consulting
Tony and I worked together as leaders of the DEIB Working Group at our undergraduate alma mater. During his time as chair of the Group, Tony always brought strong ideas and suggestions with a goal of understanding our college’s specific DEIB goals and priorities. Tony is truly an innovator in this space, and I am excited to recommend him to you and your institution. Tony is a true innovator in the DEIB community and consistently brings thoughtful ideas and solutions to our DEIB work. I highly recommend him to you. In a constantly evolving landscape, DEIB work is immensely complex and the needs from one institution to another are often not the same. Tony’s thoughtful approach to DEIB work seeks to identify the ideas and solutions for your institution. I highly recommend him as a key partner for your DEIB initiatives.
Marcus Relthford, Trustee, Wheaton College
Dr. Tony Laing delivered an insightful workshop titled "Promoting Campus Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity: Strategies for Supporting Diverse Communities" at the Faculty of Education, Chiang Mai University in Thailand. As a scholar-practitioner with extensive expertise in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB), Dr. Laing shared valuable knowledge and practical strategies for fostering inclusive environments in educational settings. His engaging approach and ability to present actionable insights made the workshop both thought-provoking and impactful.
Dr. Laing's extensive experience in K-12 and higher education, particularly in addressing the intersectionality of gender, sexuality, and race, provided participants with practical tools for supporting diverse student populations and creating equitable learning spaces.
I highly recommend Dr. Tony Laing to organizations and institutions seeking expert guidance on advancing diversity and inclusion initiatives. His depth of knowledge and practical insights are invaluable resources for fostering inclusive and equitable communities.
Nannaphat Saenghong, PhD, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Education, Chiang Mai University, Thailand
It is my honor to endorse Dr. Tony Laing, founder and CEO of Laing Equity Education Group, LLC. We cohosted my organization’s Together for Change, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) Workshop Featuring Youth of Color. He provided fact-based information with respect to the disparities in adoption and foster care, focused on systemic challenges affecting Black and Brown youth of color and prospective families, in addition to, the barriers such as institutional racism, policy biases, and resource disparities.
Dr. Tony Laing shared his firsthand experiences with the foster care system and provided strategies within our organization to enhance our support of the communities we serve. He also provided in-depth responses to our questions during the Q & A portion. Dr. Tony Laing is an empowering speaker, natural community organizer, and an essential addition when considering your organization’s DEIB Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) needs.
Janet A. Labadie-Kelley, Child Services Coordinator
Adoption Resource Exchange
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