Modern Impact Solutions is a critical race theory-aligned diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) consulting group that works with schools and school districts. It was founded by Leah Dozier Walker, former director of the Virginia Department of Education’s Office of Equity and Community Engagement. ¹ Walker stepped down from that post after allegations of ethics violations.

Activities

In September 2021, Modern Impact Solutions was formed by Leah Dozier Walker after its initial inception in 2019 as Leading Impact Now. ² Modern Impact Solutions provides diversity, equity, and inclusion coaching and professional learning; content creation and messaging distribution; strategic consulting; and public speaking. ³ The firm provides antiracism trainings, webinars, assessments, and data analysis. ⁴ It also assists with media strategy, web design, speech writing, media relations, graphic design, op-eds, press releases, newsletters and message development. ⁵

Much of the firm’s work involves Leah Dozier Walker’s public speaking. ⁶ Walker speaks on K-12 education equity, advancing systemic equity, leading for social justice impact, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. ⁷ Walker has appeared at conferences on equity at Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Richmond, College of William and Mary, the Virginia Literacy Summit, and at the National School Boards Association Annual Legislative Conference. ⁸

Walker charges speaking fees beginning at $500-$3000 for a guest lecture for a non-profit. ⁹ A one-hour presentation begins at $2500. ¹⁰ Two hours of training begins at a base charge of $4,000. ¹¹ A panel discussion starts at a base charge of $3,000 while a keynote speech costs at least $3,500. ¹²

State Inspector General Allegations

In September 2019, the Virginia Office of the State Inspector General (IG) received a hotline complaint that Leah Dozier Walker was using state time and resources to start her consulting firm. ¹³

The IG investigated accusations that Walker had used her state resources to develop her firm, written blog postings that conflicted with Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) policy, and failed to obtain approval for and report consulting work on her statement of economic interest form. ¹⁴ The IG ultimately substantiated six violations of policy and procedure by Walker. ¹⁵

The IG found that Walker had two websites containing pictures and documents that were created by VDOE. ¹⁶ Additionally, some of the photos included the slogan “Virginia is for Learners” that was used by VDOE. ¹⁷ The IG found that Walker was never given permission to use the slogan for commercial purposes. ¹⁸

The IG report also found that Walker provided consulting services that were identical or nearly identical to her state duties. ¹⁹

The IG found that Walker falsely reported to state auditors that she received no income from an outside business and did not have an outside business with a value greater than $5,000. During the investigation, the IG interviewed three VDOE staff members who alleged that Walker “was never around” and “these absences create[d] challenges in the management and direction of the office.” It was also found that Dozier Walker asked a VDOE employee to proof and review a personal logo that was to be used for her consulting business on state time, and sent tweets relating to her business on state time. ²⁰ Ultimately, the IG identified 95.5 hours of unexplained absences during Walker’s employment with VDOE. ²¹

Dozier Walker left the Virginia Department of Education in September 2021 and started Modern Impact Solutions. ²²

Leadership

Leah Dozier Walker is the founder and principal consultant at Modern Impact Solutions. ²³ Dozier Walker is also a senior vice president of equity and inclusion at Waterford.org. ²⁴ From 2018 until 2021, she was the director of equity and community engagement at the Virginia Department of Education; at the same time she began the consulting firm Leading Impact Now. ²⁵ Previously, she was a business management officer with the office of the mayor in Richmond, Virginia. ²⁶ She was also an appointee of then-Gov. Tim Kaine (D-VA), a fundraiser for the Virginia House Democratic Caucus, liaison for the Richmond City Council, and legislative assistant for Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA). ²⁷

In 2019, Walker accused the Virginia governor’s wife, Pam Northam, of singling out black students during a tour of the executive mansion by handing out cotton balls and asking them to imagine being a slave. ²⁸ However, other students on the tour contradicted Walker’s story, stating that no one was singled out and that all students were handed raw cotton balls to feel their texture. ²⁹

1. Modern Impact Solutions. Accessed November 28, 2021. https://modernimpactsolutions.com/about-us.
2. Virginia Secretary of State. Accessed November 27, 2021. https://cis.scc.virginia.gov/EntitySearch/BusinessInformation?businessId=1121726&source=FromEntityResult&isSeries%20=%20false; https://cis.scc.virginia.gov/EntitySearch/BusinessInformation?businessId=11274841&source=FromEntityResult&isSeries%20=%20false.
3. Modern Impact Solutions. Accessed November 28, 2021. https://modernimpactsolutions.com/about-us.
4. ^[1] Modern Impact Solutions. Accessed November 28, 2021. https://modernimpactsolutions.com/dei-coaching.
5. Modern Impact Solutions. Accessed November 28, 2021. https://modernimpactsolutions.com/content-creation.
6. Modern Impact Solutions. Accessed November 28, 2021. https://modernimpactsolutions.com/speaking.
7. Modern Impact Solutions. Accessed November 28, 2021. https://modernimpactsolutions.com/speaking.
8. Modern Impact Solutions. Accessed November 28, 2021. https://modernimpactsolutions.com/speaking.
9. Modern Impact Solutions. Accessed November 28, 2021. https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/ed763d42-580b-44a5-b9e9-c65dd9778298/downloads/Speaker%20Bio%20(Fnl).pdf?ver=1637693820498.
10. Modern Impact Solutions. Accessed November 28, 2021. https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/ed763d42-580b-44a5-b9e9-c65dd9778298/downloads/Speaker%20Bio%20(Fnl).pdf?ver=1637693820498.
11. Modern Impact Solutions. Accessed November 28, 2021. https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/ed763d42-580b-44a5-b9e9-c65dd9778298/downloads/Speaker%20Bio%20(Fnl).pdf?ver=1637693820498.
12. Modern Impact Solutions. Accessed November 28, 2021. https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/ed763d42-580b-44a5-b9e9-c65dd9778298/downloads/Speaker%20Bio%20(Fnl).pdf?ver=1637693820498.
13. Bacon, James. “VDOE Equity Director Improperly Used State Resources to Establish a Consulting Business.” Bacon’s Rebellion. May 10, 2021. Accessed November 27, 2021. https://www.baconsrebellion.com/wp/vdoe-equity-director-improperly-used-state-resources-to-establish-a-consulting-business/.
14. Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Education. February 26, 2020. Accessed November 28, 2021. https://defendinged.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/FOIA-2020-078_DOE_CaseReport18047_Redacted-2.pdf.
15. Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Education. February 26, 2020. Accessed November 28, 2021. https://defendinged.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/FOIA-2020-078_DOE_CaseReport18047_Redacted-2.pdf
16. Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Education. February 26, 2020. Accessed November 28, 2021. https://defendinged.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/FOIA-2020-078_DOE_CaseReport18047_Redacted-2.pdf.
17. Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Education. February 26, 2020. Accessed November 28, 2021. https://defendinged.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/FOIA-2020-078_DOE_CaseReport18047_Redacted-2.pdf.
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19. Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Education. February 26, 2020. Accessed November 28, 2021. https://defendinged.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/FOIA-2020-078_DOE_CaseReport18047_Redacted-2.pdf.
20. Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Education. February 26, 2020. Accessed November 28, 2021. https://defendinged.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/FOIA-2020-078_DOE_CaseReport18047_Redacted-2.pdf.
21. ^[1] Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Education. February 26, 2020. Accessed November 28, 2021. https://defendinged.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/FOIA-2020-078_DOE_CaseReport18047_Redacted-2.pdf.
22. “Leah Dozier Walker.” LinkedIn. Accessed November 26, 2021. https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahdozierwalker/.
23. Leah Dozier Walke. Accessed November 26, 2021. https://leahdozierwalker.com/about.
24. Waterford.org. Accessed November 26, 2021. https://www.waterford.org/about/.
25. “Leah Dozier Walker.” LinkedIn. Accessed November 26, 2021. https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahdozierwalker/.
26. “Leah Dozier Walker.” LinkedIn. Accessed November 26, 2021. https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahdozierwalker/.
27. “Leah Dozier Walker.” LinkedIn. Accessed November 26, 2021. https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahdozierwalker/.
28. Vozzella, Laura. “Virginia’s ‘Cotton Situation’ is a Matter of Dispute.” Washington Post. March 1, 2019. Accessed November 28, 2021. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/that-did-not-happen-virginias-cotton-situation-is-spin-some-parents-and-pages-say/2019/03/01/29b1f23a-3c30-11e9-a2cd-307b06d0257b_story.html.
29. Vozzella, Laura. “Virginia’s ‘Cotton Situation’ is a Matter of Dispute.” Washington Post. March 1, 2019. Accessed November 28, 2021. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/that-did-not-happen-virginias-cotton-situation-is-spin-some-parents-and-pages-say/2019/03/01/29b1f23a-3c30-11e9-a2cd-307b06d0257b_story.html.