Co‐constructing comunidad: A collective critical reflection on the co‐creation of La RED

Abstract

AbstractThis article describes the co‐creation of the American Evaluation Association's Latinx Responsive Evaluation Discourse (La RED) Topical Interest Group by using a collective critical reflection approach to analyze the evolution of La RED as a platform for theory building and a community of practice during its foundational years (2014–2017). Ten years post instituting the TIG, the authors illustrate how the positionality of inaugural La RED Latine evaluators, their lived experiences, and their engagement in discourse on Critical Race Theory, Latine Critical Race Theory (LatCrit), culturally responsive evaluation, and community participatory approaches informed the conceptualization of Latine culturally responsive and equitable evaluation (LatCREE). LatCREE is introduced as an effective and appropriate framework for the study and practice of evaluation with Latine communities. We emphasize the value of discourse in comunidad as an essential actionable process for practicing LatCREE and offer epistemological, ontological, and axiological considerations for co‐constructing and sustaining comunidad as La RED Latine evaluators.