We help educators, school communities, and service organizations meet unprecedented challenges with imaginative, potent strategy.
Although 360 Collective today specializes in supporting educators and school communities, the group was founded 25 years ago as a way to elevate issues of race, justice, and equity on the campus of Western Michigan University where three students--Abayouni Dukes, Grant Brooks, and Isaac Castelaz--formed a newsletter called "360" to provoke critical conversations focused on inequality. Today, they use their unique skills as educators, counselors, scholars, and organizers to meet their partners where they are and achieve ambitious developmental goals, approaching each collaboration with care, passion and deep commitment.
​Abayouni Imari Dukes grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, before attending college at Alabama A&M. Moving back to Michigan in 1996, he befriended Isaac Castelaz and Grant Brooks, with whom he founded 360. Dukes has mentored young people, counseled married couples, and coached incarcerated men of all ages.
Dukes possesses more than a decade of experience empathically counseling and mentoring young people, married couples and incarcerated men. His areas of expertise include problem-solving, goal-setting, affirmation & efficacy, active listening and deconstructing bias.
Although Isaac Castelaz was born in Chicago, he moved frequently as a child, attending ten different schools before he graduated from high school.
Isaac Castelaz is a 24-year Chicago educator with experience as a teacher, instructional coach, administrator, principal and consultant. As the principal of National Teachers Academy, a public school serving students on the South Side of Chicago, he led the school to obtain the highest possible district rating for several years and helped fight off City Hall's plan to close the school. Castelaz specializes in talent development, leadership coaching, and strengthening organizational outcomes & culture.
Grant Brooks was born and raised in Flint, Michigan. Brooks has worked in the field of education for more than 15 years, including seven years as a teacher of middle school students in Detroit, Michigan.
As a teacher, Brooks expertly developed rapport with students and found unique ways to deeply engage every child. Additionally, Brooks possesses a Master's Degree in Education Leadership. As a member of 360 MPC, Brooks specializes in coaching / training teachers and leaders in student-centered learning practices, culturally relevant curriculum, and cultural responsiveness.