We value joy, creativity and justice. Yes, we can have all of these things!
We’ve been actively shifting culture for decades.
Nicole and Suzanne are educators, organizational designers, storytellers, podcasters, community organizers, friends and joyful creatives. Collectively, we have over 40 years of experience coaching organizations, educational institutions and communities to make meaningful changes in climate and culture towards greater anti-racism, diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (ADEIB). We are a Black woman and a white woman working together to model healthy, trusting and effective cross-racial partnership.
BCWT Principal and Lead Consultants
Nicole Lavonne Smith-Johnson, MUP
Nicole is a Restorative Justice Practitioner whose work centers racial and social justice. She provides coaching and training to organizations, institutions and communities looking to deeply embed diversity, equity and inclusion within their culture. Nicole works collaboratively with individuals, teams and staff to sustainably build capacity around rethinking systems and structures, repairing harm, and holding space for critical conversations. Building and strengthening relationships is foundational to Nicole’s philosophy and processes. Prior to her work in restorative justice, Nicole was a dedicated New York City educator for two decades, teaching English, environmental science, and capoeira, and advocating for culturally responsible education. Nicole holds a Masters in Urban Planning and International Development from New York University and a Bachelor in Psychology from Howard University, and resides in Brooklyn, New York with her husband and two sons.
Suzanne Hitchman, LMSW
Suzanne Hitchman is a white, queer, coach, trainer and facilitator with 20 years experience coaching educational institutions, organizations, businesses, and communities towards anti-racism, equity and inclusion with an emphasis on racial justice and LGBTQ+ affirming practices. For 10 years she coached public schools and districts towards restorative justice and transformative justice and built asset-based mental health programs responsive to student, staff, family and community needs. Suzanne is skilled at developing the leadership of individuals and teams to implement paradigm shifts in climate and culture. She is relentlessly attuned to human needs and building sustainable systems that support them. She earned her Masters Degree in Social Work from San Francisco State University where she was awarded the Community Mental Health Stipend. She currently resides in Brooklyn where she enjoys running, biking and singing.