The 2024 Playbook Initiative, a special partnership between Project 351 and the Boston Celtics, along with the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (M.A.S.S.) is an anti-discrimination and bias-prevention program, led by student Trainers in 28 communities across the state through interactive workshops with middle-school youth.

Playbook Trainers gain skills in facilitation and mentorship, receive in-depth training and coaching from both Celtics and 351 staff, and become champions of change who model inclusion and support for social justice.

We are so grateful to the Celtics for founding the vision and committing to the mission of Playbook. You can learn more about the Celtics’ commitment to social justice here.

The 2024 Playbook

 

Playbook Trainer Action Items

  • It’s workshop season! Wish your fellow trainers and friends luck as they lead their first and second training sessions in their communities!

  • Check out our Playbook Focus recordings and accompanying resources! They’re available for you to learn more about how to be a better ally to the people around you!

  • Subscribe to the Playbook 2024 Calendar for key dates & Zoom call information! Add the calendar directly to your digital calendar by clicking the + button in the bottom right corner of the calendar.

  • Check out our Train the Trainers Zoom Calls! Playbook experts Tome and Dave led these virtual sessions to walk you through the preparation, logistics, and facilitation, and best practices required to lead impactful workshops with your middle school participants.

  • Join our Playbook 2024 Trainers Groupme for important reminders and answers to quick questions.

  • Get excited for an inspirational season of community-making, courageous conversations, and leadership development!

 

Highlights from 2024 Playbook Summit

Workshop Resources

Here you can find useful materials inducing a general sequence of workshop events, activity sheets specific to each session you lead, and best practices from your fellow Playbook trainers about what has helped them with the preparation, organization, and facilitation of trainings with their own communities. You can submit your own tips and pieces of advice here to be added to the Best Practice Guide.

“I believe this world and everyone in it, is a manifestation of virtue... I serve because I wish to work toward a world where everyone can realize the inner light I know they have, to become the bright human beings and leaders I know they can be.”
— JAY PATEL, DEPUTY TRAINER, HOLLISTON

Highlight Reel

 

Here are some snapshots of our 2024 trainers in action! These are moments captured during the workshops sessions with participating middle schools in our Playbook districts. We are so proud of the courage and leadership you demonstrate as you lead these sessions. Make sure to show your fellow trainers some love and wish them luck throughout the season.

Send us photos from your workshops so that we can celebrate you and your community!

Playbook Focus

LGBTQIA+ Allyship & Inclusion with Ali Kane

 
“In creating the conditions that promote equitable conditions, I recognize few people will follow a pessimist or someone who is fearful; that is particularly true of the work of equity. Optimism is the thing that allows us to act and contribute to a brighter future.”
— DR. ANDRE MORGAN, DIRECTOR OF Opportunity, Access & Equity, Beverly
 

Content Training Resources

 

DEI with Dr. Andre Morgan

 

Ability with Jordan Simpson

Content Training Resources

Articles

  • https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/02/02/lifestyle/why-do-kids-engage-antisemitic-incidents/

  • https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/01/us/racism-bullying-school.html?campaign_id=61&emc=edit_ts_20240101&instance_id=111444&nl=the-great-read&regi_id=55603854&segment_id=154006&te=1&user_id=b9aea2389af1f0a5b6271713f3f29d76

  • https://www.axios.com/2023/12/13/dei-programs-harvard-israel-gaza-protests

  • https://circle.tufts.edu/2024-election-youth-poll#information-and-support,-key-to-youth-engagement,-are-often-still-lacking

  • https://www.salemnews.com/news/students-tell-ed-board-about-antisemitism-in-schools/article_06e12f08-88a4-11ee-976c-bbb603c7ccd6.html

  • https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-ma-reports-300-increase-in-calls-for-help-amid-rise-in-islamophobia/

  • https://newbedfordlight.org/white-supremacists-stepping-up-activities-in-massachusetts/#print

  • https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/10/13/metro/concord-schools-racism-massachusetts-bigotry/?s_campaign=breakingnews:newsletter

  • https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/06/12/metro/pride-event-burlington-middle-school-becomes-day-intolerance-other-students-destroy-decorations-principal-says/

Educator Resources

Here our Lead Educators and Administrators can find useful information and materials related to operationalizing Playbook in your districts, best practices, presentation templates, and more!

 
“Our society is in urgent need of more empathetic, intelligent, and inclusive young leaders who dare to proactively stand up to injustice in the name of creating a better tomorrow for all.”
— BOBBY PORTWAY, PROJECT 351 ALUM, LEAD EDUCATOR, NORTON
 

IN THE NEWS!