As Child Trends’ director of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), Dominique Parris leads the organization’s comprehensive equity initiative, which impacts our organizational culture and climate, our policies and practices, and our approach to producing high-quality research. Dominique’s overarching vision for equity and inclusion at Child Trends is informed by the perspective she has gained as a social justice practitioner. In her time at Child Trends, Dominique has played an integral role in the organization’s growth and development into a more equitable, anti-racist workplace and research partner. Her vision is to make sure that the impactful research that Child Trends conducts each day is produced by researchers who demographically reflect and understand the broad diversity of experiences of children and families in the United States.

Dominique first joined Child Trends as a technical assistance specialist who coached school leaders on creating safe, affirming, and supportive educational environments for all students. She also led a project funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to provide technical assistance to state education and health officials seeking to improve adolescent sexual health outcomes. In 2020, Dominique stepped into the role of interim DEI director and served in that capacity until mid-2021. Prior to joining Child Trends, Dominique coordinated the HIV and STI prevention program and LGBTQ inclusion initiatives for DC Public Schools. She began her career working directly with youth at SMYAL, a DC-based LGBTQ youth center.

Parris holds an MEd in social justice education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a bachelor’s degree in international relations from Wellesley College.