“If you can walk you can dance, if you can talk you can sing.”
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Sandra (Chap) Chapman, Ed. D. is the Founder of Chap Equity, an organization rooted in the belief that, through teamwork, we can learn more about ourselves and others; discuss and discover the foundational research needed to address the needs in a community; create conversations that support individuals where they are and confront barrier issues; and create actionable steps towards building stronger educational communities.
Dr. Chap (she, her, hers) is an afrolatina and native New Yorker, born and raised in El Barrio, or Spanish Harlem, in New York City. Her mother migrated from Puerto Rico and her father immigrated from the Dominican Republic. All of Dr. Chap's formal educational experiences occurred in New York City, from her early childhood days in Head Start and elementary school in Spanish Harlem; college at Fordham University in Lincoln Center; and Bank Street College of Education for her Masters in Education. Chap even ventured to upstate New York where she acquired her doctorate degree. |
For over a decade Dr. Chap served as the Director of Equity and Community at the Little Red School House and Elisabeth Irwin High School (LREI), a progressive independent school in the West Village section of Manhattan, NYC. In her role at LREI she worked on issues related to equity, diversity, social justice, inclusion and anti-bias curriculum. In addition to her years at LREI, Chap has worked at Manhattan Country School and the Bank Street School for Children, all independent schools in New York City. With 30 years in NYC independent schools, and a lifetime of personal experiences in school and other not-for-profit organizations across the country, Chap has a broad range of knowledge regarding children and their social, cognitive, physical, spiritual and emotional selves, as well as the role loving adults play in children’s lives.
Chap, and her wife Imani, are proudly raising Sophia (20), Andrei (15) and Ale (6), with their two cats, Milo and Samuel. |
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"Chap's reputation as an experienced facilitator precedes her. When I heard that she was a key member of the 'My Grandmother's Hands' Virtual Book Club, I said "Yes!!". Even when she is not the lead facilitator, I know that I will be encouraged to be open and brave." Joan Edwards, Director of Diversity, Inclusion and Cultural Competency, Kingswood Oxford School 
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Many thanks for taking the time (at a crucial point in your own school year) to speak to us at St. Bernard’s about diversity, inclusivity, micro-aggression, and other things that are important for us to think about. Your words were provocative and penetrating, and you made us all think—especially about other people and ways to make them feel welcome, not excluded. That’s the most important element in the character of a school community, and I appreciate your help and your wisdom."
~ From Stuart Johnson- Head of School, St Bernard’s School