Flamboyan Reviews

What began as a well-intentioned operating foundation has devolved into a sycophantic tax shelter actively causing harm to current and former employees with wonton disregard for the needs of the students they purport to care about. Leadership forced employees back to in-person work without proper supports in place - attempting to position it as being in solidarity with the families and educators of DC - yet the CEO sends her children to one of the most expensive private schools in the area. While other reviewers may attempt to characterize the revolving door of hires the last few years as a positive and/or deflect blame onto the employees, before 2021, many employees surpassed the 5 year mark of tenure. What changed? Leadership. The organizational leadership has become increasingly top heavy and insular, choosing to listen to a select few and when those chosen ones don't toe the party line, they are pushed out - often at the cost of their mental and emotional well being. If one were to look into the hallmarks of white supremacy culture, they would easily find each alive and well within Flamboyan's *gorgeous* office space. The pay and benefits are the bare minimum; which, historically, was okay for many staff members because they were given the autonomy, support, and collaboration to do meaningful work. This is no longer true - as evidence by the reviews on this page. Potential applicants: beware and please, please do your research.

Culture: employees are encouraged to be transparent, give feedback, etc. through surveys, interviews, and the like, but if you give critical feedback using the platforms provided to you, you’ll be reprimanded and have your intentions questioned. Work/Life balance: Sucks. The, “hours,” are reasonable, 40 hrs, but coming into the office 4 days a week with an hour+ commute turns that into 55+ hours and takes time away from families. The commute wouldn’t be bad if we used our time effectively to collaborate, actually SERVE our communities, and DO meaningful work. But instead, we sit on our computers all day with an occasional, “whiteboard,” session. I’d rather do a Jamboard, thanks. Leadership used to justify the 4 days in person by saying we have to be in proximity to the people we serve. Hate to break it to ya, but the families and educators we serve aren’t in DuPont Circle. Furthermore, DCPS Central Office staff have very liberal WFH schedules. DEI: their approach to being anti-racist is to ask people, “which do you identify with, white or BIPOC, because you have to pick an affinity group to join.” 👀👀 If you don’t fit, too bad, pick one or be by yourself; there’s the I in DEI. Reading Caste and talking about our own traumas does not help us serve marginalized communities more equitably; it’s helps us rack up therapy bills to hit our ridiculous deductible. Their, “approach/commitment,” to being anti-racist, cause staff real emotional harm. Benefits: Health insurance, retirement, flex spending, were all average; nothing special. But if you drive, be ready to pay $15-20 a day. Then walk past senior leaderships’ cars parked for FREE out front and out back; that’s the E in DEI. I really wanted to love working here as much as I love family engagement, but could not overlook the toxic culture and gaslighting.