In 2021, when researchers from the Education Collaboratory at Yale approached Trajectory of Hope with an invitation, it felt like the start of something revolutionary. They asked us to join forces in advancing social-emotional learning (SEL) assessments and implementation, with a shared vision of using these tools to disrupt systemic biases. This collaboration would become known as Project Flourish—an initiative that had the potential to reshape how Black students are seen, heard, and supported in schools.

For us at Trajectory of Hope, this was more than just a project. It was a calling. We knew firsthand the struggles that Black students face in navigating systems that often don’t reflect their experiences or honor their identities. Through Project Flourish, we saw an opportunity to help schools not just teach, but nurture; to create environments where Black students could feel safe, thrive emotionally, and be seen for their full potential. We partnered with Urban Assembly and Yale University, bringing together diverse minds with one goal: to build equitable social-emotional learning tools that would dismantle the biases deeply embedded in education.

The SEL Specialist: A Day in the Life of a Change-Maker

At the heart of Project Flourish is the SEL Specialist—a role that goes beyond traditional teaching or counseling. These specialists are change-makers, stepping into schools not just to assess, but to transform. McKenzie, one of our SEL Specialists, describes her role as “the bridge between understanding and action.” Each day, McKenzie enters classrooms and hallways with a mission: to ensure that Black students—students who often feel invisible—know they are seen, heard, and valued.

Administering SEL Assessments with a Purpose

SEL assessments are more than data points—they are stories waiting to be told. McKenzie remembers a time when, after administering one such assessment, a young Black student confided in her: “No one’s ever asked me how I feel before.” That moment was a reminder that these tools are about more than numbers—they are about understanding the lived experiences of each student, especially those who are often overlooked.

Through thoughtful collaboration with the school’s technology team, McKenzie ensures that these assessments run smoothly. But her job doesn’t end when the results come in. For her, the real work begins in the analysis—digging into the data to reveal insights that can guide teachers, parents, and administrators in supporting the emotional well-being of every child. It’s about finding the stories hidden beneath the surface, she says.

Building Strong Relationships: The Power of Trust

In her daily routine, McKenzie’s work centers around relationships. “I think of myself as a gardener,” she explains, “nurturing seeds of trust, knowing that over time, they’ll grow into something beautiful.” Whether she’s checking in with students or meeting with teachers to brainstorm ways to integrate SEL into their lessons, her focus is always the same: connection.

One student, Eartha, once came to McKenzie struggling with her self-worth. After months of conversations and support, Eartha not only began to flourish academically but took on a leadership role in the school’s Black Student Union (BSU), a space McKenzie helped create to celebrate Black identity. It’s moments like these that remind me why this work is so important, she shares. “When students feel seen, they become leaders in their own lives.”

Observing Classrooms to Cultivate Change

McKenzie’s role often involves sitting quietly at the back of a classroom, observing the dynamics between students and teachers. But these observations are anything but passive. They allow her to gather critical insights into the social-emotional dynamics at play—insights that help her guide teachers in creating more inclusive, emotionally aware environments.

“I remember sitting in on a class where a Black student kept disengaging,” McKenzie recalls. “It wasn’t that he wasn’t interested; he just didn’t feel like the lesson reflected his reality. After working with the teacher to bring more culturally relevant examples into the curriculum, I saw that student light up. He began to participate more, and his confidence grew.”

Bringing SEL to Life: Learning Beyond the Classroom

McKenzie also believes that some of the most important SEL lessons happen outside the classroom. On a field trip to a local museum, she encouraged students to reflect on how their emotions impacted their understanding of the exhibits. What started as a simple visit turned into a powerful conversation about identity, history, and resilience. These are the moments that remind me why SEL is so vital. It’s about helping students connect what they’re feeling with the world around them, McKenzie says.

Empowering Students: Giving Them a Voice

At Trajectory of Hope, we believe that students are not just recipients of knowledge but co-creators of their educational experience. Through initiatives like Advise and Design, McKenzie gives students like Eartha the opportunity to shape their school’s SEL practices. These sessions are more than just meetings—they are spaces where students feel empowered to voice their ideas and be active participants in their own learning journeys. When students are part of the process, they’re more invested in the outcome, McKenzie reflects. “They become advocates not just for themselves, but for each other.”

Maintaining Safe Spaces: The Role of Affinity Groups

One of the most meaningful aspects of McKenzie’s work is her role in creating and maintaining spaces like the Black Student Union (BSU). “For Black students, spaces like the BSU are lifelines,” she says. “It’s a place where they can show up as their full selves.” Through these affinity groups, McKenzie helps students not only build community but also develop the social-emotional skills that will serve them throughout their lives.

Programs like Lunch Bunch are another vital tool. In these informal gatherings, McKenzie sits with students over sandwiches and snacks, helping them practice their social-emotional skills in a relaxed, supportive setting. This is where the magic happens, she smiles. “It’s amazing how much growth can come from a simple lunch table conversation.”

Advancing Equity and Inclusion Through Black Student-Centered Programs

When McKenzie helped found the BSU at Will Rogers Middle School, what began as a Black History Month initiative quickly blossomed into a vibrant, year-round program. “Watching students come together, celebrate their culture, and build a sense of belonging—it’s what this work is all about,” she reflects. Project Flourish is not just about assessments or policies; it’s about transforming schools into spaces where Black students feel at home, where their emotional well-being is nurtured as much as their academic achievement.

Equity isn’t just a word for us—it’s a commitment. At Trajectory of Hope, McKenzie and other SEL Specialists are on the front lines of ensuring that Black students not only survive but thrive in schools. Programs like the 100 Black Men Rise Program and the BSU are tangible examples of how SEL tools can be used to empower students, particularly those who have been historically marginalized.