LRFB Equity Consulting, LLC partners with schools, school districts, municipalities, and higher education institutions to build equitable systems that center belonging, dignity, and opportunity for all. Founded in 2020 by Liam R. F. Bird, our firm is rooted in the belief that equity is a shared responsibility—and must be co-designed with those most impacted by injustice.

Our founder, Liam R. F. Bird served as a principal co-author of the Chicago Public Schools Equity Framework and led the development of key district policies including the Naming or Renaming of Schools Policy and the Culturally Responsive Education and Diversity Policy. He currently serves as Director of Learning & Education at the Center for Equity, Effectiveness, and Efficiency in Local Government (C3E), where he supports municipalities across Illinois.

In 2023, Liam was selected by the Othering & Belonging Institute to speak at the LiveWell 2023 National Summit, where he presented on implementing targeted universalism in education policy and systems change. On another occassion, he was selected to moderate a public conversation with Dr. Bettina Love on abolitionist teaching and equity in education.

Our approach is anchored in the Community Co-Design for Equity Framework. At the school level, we apply the School Equity Audit Tool (SEAT), which includes empathy interview protocols and listening campaign strategies to support ongoing improvement.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

We support individual schools in co-designing equity strategies that improve climate, culture, and instructional outcomes.

• Equity-Based Strategic Planning to align policies with school improvement goals.
• Culturally Responsive Leadership Development to foster inclusive teaching and school culture.
• Equity Audits and Policy Redesign using SEAT to support MTSS and belonging efforts.
  • Approved Vendor with Chicago Public Schools (Supplier #45252 – processed through C3E)

Highlight: In one public school, we facilitated the co-creation of an equity policy team, empathy interviews with students, and a policy revision process aligned to the CPS Equity Framework.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS

We help district leadership embed equity into systems that span schools, staff, and families.

• Strategic Equity Frameworks that guide district-wide transformation.
• Equity Policy and Budget Reviews to identify and address systemic disparities.
• Community Co-Design and Student Leadership that drive inclusive governance.

Highlight: In one school district, we led an equity audit of board policies and engaged students and families in co-designing more equitable policies and budgets.

MUNICIPALITIES AND CITIES

We partner with local governments to align equity goals with governance, budgeting, and workforce transformation.

• Community Co-Design for System Change that elevates resident voice in public service reform.
• Equity Audits and Organizational Assessments to evaluate city operations and drive accountability.
• Leadership Development and Strategic Advising to build internal equity champions and capacity.

Highlight: In two municipalities, we facilitated a multi-department learning cohort and piloted equity-informed innovation projects.

HIGHER EDUCATION

We support colleges and universities in creating institutional conditions for inclusion, retention, and equity-centered teaching:

• Institutional Equity Planning aligned with ISBE, IBHE, and other state frameworks.
• Policy and Budget Equity Audits to dismantle structural barriers.
• Educator Preparation Program (EPP) Support to strengthen pipelines and align with Culturally Responsive Teaching Standards.

Highlight:  Our CEO also served on the Illinois Board of Higher Education Equity Committee and the Illinois State Board of Education Equity Committee during 2021–2022, contributing to the development of statewide equity frameworks across K–12 and higher education.