Meraki: (may rah kee) (v) to do something with soul, creativity, or love; to put something of yourself into your work

Meraki Consulting, LLC

Meraki Consulting, LLC was started by the husband and wife duo, Rainey and Julie Briggs. Rainey and Julie are both educators with a passion for equity and student success. Rainey and Julie grew up in Madison, WI and had very different educational experiences that they discuss in their presentations. Meraki Consulting, LLC offers many unique services from changing mindset institutes, leadership coaching, professional development, mentoring, instructional coaching, and mediation. Contact us today to see how we can help you along your journey.

Who We Are

Dr. Rainey Briggs

Dr. Rainey Briggs is a very dynamic leader who brings his passion and energy into his work. Dr. Briggs is a former School Superintendent from WI. He has also served as the Director of Elementary Education, Principal, and Physical Education Teacher. Dr. Briggs is a leader in educational and mindset work in the state of Wisconsin. He was most recently recognized as one of the 48 Most Influential Black Leaders in Wisconsin. In addition, Dr. Briggs has done motivational speaking and key note presentations to share his story of growing up as a young Black boy in poverty and the challenges he faced in school. Dr. Briggs has also partnered with school districts to provide mentoring and mediation. His wife, Julie, is also an educator and they have three teenage daughters; Rayna, Rylee, and Reagan. In their spare time Dr. Briggs and his family enjoy going to sporting events and traveling.

Dr. Rainey Briggs has written a dissertation on Factors That Promote or Impede the Success of African American males in a predominantly white high school. This research is from the perspective of the students themselves. Learn what these high school students said would have helped them not only in high school but throughout their entire school career. The questions Dr. Briggs asks the students really brings about deep reflection. Discover ways you can help All students, African American students in particular, achieve great success. This is a must read for all educators. When we know better, we do better.

Julie Briggs

Julie Briggs is a passionate educator who loves teaching and coaching with an equity lens. She is currently an instructional coach in Wisconsin. Prior to that role, Julie spent time in Milwaukee and Sun Prairie, WI as an elementary teacher and instructional coach. Julie began her career teaching in the inner city of Milwaukee. Her passion in the classroom encouraged her husband, Dr. Rainey Briggs, to pursue a career in education as well. The two of them together bring many unique experiences to be shared from growing up together, dating in high school, college athletics, young parents raising biracial children, and continuing education. Julie also has several years of experience as an instructional coach and has provided literacy training for school districts in Wisconsin. In their spare time, the Briggs family enjoys watching each other in their sporting events, family game nights, and traveling.

Range of Services

Shifting Mindsets Institute

The Shifting Mindests Institute, led by Dr. Rainey Briggs, offers a transformative professional development experience that empowers educators to create truly inclusive learning environments. Through interactive sessions spanning 1-4 days, participants engage in deep reflection and practical strategy development

Educational Leadership Coaching

Tailored sessions that address specific leadership challenges tailored to your building and district leaders’ needs. Dr. Briggs’ relatable and approachable leadership style has allowed leaders to gain the trust and confidence to make positive changes.

Crisis Management

Guidance through difficult situations with integrity. Dr. Briggs provides support to building and district leaders with a step by step approach to dealing with a crisis.

Mediation

Dr. Briggs is trained in adaptive schools and restorative practices. He has worked with school districts as a mediator to support administrators work through challenging situations. Dr. Briggs has also worked as a mediator between African American parent groups and the school district.

Bulls-Eye: Transforming School Culture from the Inside Out

In today’s educational environment, the challenge is in creating a vibrant, positive school culture where every member of your community can thrive. Our Bulls-Eye Whole School Approach is helping districts transform their school climate into one of engagement, belonging, and achievement.

Key Note Presentations / Motivational Speaking

Dr. Rainey Briggs is a very dynamic speaker that brings personal story telling into the space and captivates the audience. His inspiring stories have been motivating to school districts’ and national conference attendees.

Testimonials

The Equity Institute was amazing; I love that I had the opportunity to be here. Would highly recommend it to anyone else because so rarely do you get the chance as an adult to sit in a learning environment like this and learn and reflect (and be given the tools to continue to learn and reflect).

Dr. Briggs is an amazing speaker and has so much knowledge!!!!

I was part of the very first virtual Critical Consciousness Institute. The material and the facilitators very effectively transitioned from an in-person professional learning format to a virtual format in ways that deeply engaged me with new ideas, new perspectives, my colleagues, and with compelling stories and undeniable primary source documents. I am fueled with more information and renewed with inspiration to continue doing this challenging, urgent and critical work. It is all our work.

Eye opening experience.

The format that Percy and Rainey use to take participants through such powerful learning is the perfect approach. There is so much to dive into, but their guidance helped me to feel like I have some tangible things I can do, and know the weight of the responsibility to “know better, do better”, all for the love of our “babies”!

This is the work that needs to occur in every district. Thank you for helping us to continue to build capacity.

Percy and Rainey bring real life experiences, honesty and passion to the Critical Consciousness training. They make very hard work interesting, fun, and eye opening. In this training you will look deeply into your own values, find your own biases, and learn how to speak up in appropriate ways.

Resources

Dr. Rainey Briggs dissertation

Purchase a digital copy for $41.00 USD.

In The Media

Fresh Perspectives: Interview w/ Dr. Rainey Briggs – Pick Up The Mic Podcast June 14th 2021

Episode 7: Fresh Perspectives: Interview w/ Dr. Rainey Briggs In this episode, we discuss the achievement gap and possible solutions with Superintendent Dr. Rainey Briggs.

‘Tricked’ into a calling to education – Maverick Nation Summer 2021

Julie Briggs had a hunch. As an elementary school teacher, she knew what it took to connect with kids. She knew it took patience, compassion and an ability to relate to them on their level. She also knew her husband Rainey had a magnetic brand of charisma; she'd seen it in action when youngsters scrambled for his autograph after...

Ep 4 Teaching your Mixed Kids about RACE – #ManningTheGrill

It’s Black History Month, I thought it would be a good time to chat about one of my favorite things, my mixed kids. It is difficult raising children period! Having the "race" discussion in a world that is continually centered around hate and division can be difficult. It is also a challenge raising mixed race children in a...